Brian F. Dolan

Brian F. Dolan passed away on Thursday, November 14, 2024, surrounded by his family. He was born on September 24, 1958, in Wilmington to Matilda (Maytene) and William J. Dolan, Jr.

He graduated from Alexis I duPont High School and attended the University of Delaware where he graduated from in 1980. While attending Delaware, Brian met and married Carol (Pahnke) Huller. Upon graduation he attended Naval Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island, where he was commissioned as an Ensign in the Naval Reserve.

His first duty station was the USS Ainsworth (FF-1090) where he qualified SWO, CDO, OOD and EOOW. He served as a member of the multi-national peacekeeping force in Beirut, Lebanon in 1983. He subsequently was assigned to the USS Iowa (BB-61) from where he departed active duty for graduate and law school studies. Upon graduation from the Dickinson School of Law he gained admission to the Delaware Bar where he practiced law for over 30 years, first with the law firm of Griffin and Hackett and then as a partner with the firm of Stumpf, Vickers and Sandy.

In 2000 he graduated from the Naval War College, College of Command and Staff. In 2001 he retired from the Naval Reserves with the rank of Commander after 20 years of service. In 2004 he ran unsuccessfully for Representative to the 36th District of the Delaware General Assembly. Throughout his career Brian served on various boards, charities and community organizations including the Milton Community Food Pantry.

Brian was predeceased by his late wife, Emma Kootwijk Dolan from Amsterdam. He is survived by his wife Lesslee (Weiss) Dolan, a daughter Melissa Lynn Dolan of Greenwich, Connecticut, along with stepdaughters Stephanie Belmore of Milford, Delaware and Alisha Ellison of Chelsea, Michigan.

Services and internment are private and have been coordinated with Short’s Funeral Services in Milton, DE.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions to the USO or the American Cancer Society.

Online condolences are welcome for the family at www.shortfuneralservicesandcremation.com