U.S. Navy Veteran turns 100 years old on 4th of July

World War II Navy Veteran, Vincent Dolan turns 100 years old. He was born in Ottawa, Canada on July 4th, 1921. When he was three years old him and his family moved to the U.S. where they first settled in Wisconsin.

The Dolan Family later moved to Michigan. He eventually ended up in Arizona after his older brother moved there.

Dolan is currently in assisted living where he sometimes attends Our Mother of Sorrows Catholic Church when someone can take him. 


Identified by order: Vincent's Sister, Mother, Father, Himself, Priest, Brother

Dolan spent his life as an intellectual and spent several years studying before entering the U.S. Navy at 24 years old. “In between, I had studied in college in Minnesota, and then later in a college in Washington DC. After I got out of Washington D.C., I entered the U.S. Navy. When I got into the U.S. Navy, at that time I was able to become an American citizen even though I was living as an illegal immigrant for about 15-years.”

While in the U.S. Navy, Dolan says he was stationed in Michigan where he did clerical work for six months before being sent to the Naval base in California.

After getting out of the Navy, he continued to pursue the academics and studied abroad.
“After the war, I got out of the Navy and took the G.I. Bill. With that I went to France, the city of Paris and I studied at the University of Paris for three years. I traveled around western Europe. After that I came back to the United States and taught for several years at a college in Minnesota.” That’s where Dolan taught French and English Composition.



Dolan says he’s been Catholic all his life, and throughout the years his faith has only gotten stronger. “I have a devotion to St. Joseph. My confirmation name is Joseph. My father’s middle name is Joseph, and my next brother’s name is Joseph. I guess you can say we have a special devotion to St. Joseph. I’m reading a book right now about the consecration to St. Joseph. “

Dolan's favorite hobby is to read. 
“What else can an old man like me do? I like to listen to the radio. I have my own radio. I read when I can, but my eyesight has been failing for a long time, so I don’t have a very good eyesight.”

Reading has been his primary past time, so much so that he’s monitored several book clubs including the one he has now. “I had a book club some years ago at the University of Arizona’s Neuman Center. The book club I have now, we have seven members. We meet every couple of months.”

Dolan says he doesn’t have a favorite book, but instead he has several. Included are  “The Lord of the Rings” by J.R.R. Tolkien, “The Everlasting Man," by G.K. Chesterton, and many others. He says what he’s most proud of doing throughout his lifetime is probably spreading his knowledge of Catholic Literature. “In a general sense, promoting Catholic literature. When you’re running study clubs it’s not teaching but you are spreading the good word."

He says after all, he only hopes to have been a good Child of God. “When I have to answer to God, “Well what did you do in your life?” I’ll say, “God, you know better than I do.”

This 4th of July, Dolan’s friends will be hosting his 100th Birthday Celebration in honor of their dear friend. “I’m very grateful for the friends that God has given to me.”
 

Bishop Edward J Weisenburger noted “Some people are old at 50 but Mr. Dolan seems young and vibrant at 100!  His story is inspiring and I pray that he continues to enjoy good health for many years to come, touching the lives of all who know him with his faith and kindness.”  

The Diocese of Tucson wishes Vincent Dolan a happy birthday, and many blessings upon his life!