Lawrence J. Dolan

Lawrence J. Dolan, 94, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by loving family on the evening of February 23rd. He was born at St. Ann’s hospital in Cleveland as the youngest of David and Corinne Dolan’s four boys - David, William, and Charles were the older crew. The brothers all attended St. Ann’s elementary school and the nuns there encouraged the boisterous boys to spread their talents to different high schools. St. Ignatius was Larry’s choice and it worked out well as he lead the school to football and baseball championships and won a spot at the University of Notre Dame. There he earned a BA, a JD, and the admiration of Eva Doran Haas who was attending St. Mary’s College. A true Domer, he proposed at The Grotto and they married at The Basilica of the Sacred Heart. In their 67 years together, Larry and Eva had six children: Paul (Karen), Mark (Renee), Mary (Dave Haracz), Matthew (Jessica), Joan (Patrick Andrews), and Carol (Greggory Hill) - and twenty-one grandchildren with one great-grandchild on the way. Larry began his career as a US Marine JAG Officer, then became a Geauga County prosecutor before going into private practice, rising to named partner at Chardon’s Thrasher, Dinsmore, & Dolan. A wise attorney, he enjoyed the process of truly thinking through a matter, especially preparing for trials and in labor relations. Clients and adversaries alike were grateful for his counsel and gratified by the way he spoke to them as well as on their behalf. As a father, Larry was part of all his kids’ events - whether he was prepping them for student council speeches, poetry contests, performing on a stage, or competing on a field. (At those fields, however, he often didn’t see every play until he got home and went through the 8mm films.) Larry also relished big fun. He hosted 25 years of Turkey Bowls filled with sneak plays and questionable calls. When the U.S. boycotted the 1980 Summer Olympics, he convinced the family to host their own. Participants still recall long-jumping in the front yard; rafting through an obstacle course on the pond; and, huffing-and-puffing their way through the uphill run. Weaved throughout his life was, as his wife put it, his mistress: baseball. Having lost his dad at a young age, he fondly remembered the coaches of the Cleveland Hts. Rec baseball filled sandlots. Later, he brought that experience to his own Little League coaching where he made sure that giving everyone a shot was just as important as winning. When, much later in his career, he had the opportunity to take ownership of the then Cleveland Indians - the team of his boyhood hero player-manager Lou Boudreau - he delighted at the idea of being able to encourage the joy of playing as much as watching. He did much for building up youth baseball throughout the city of Cleveland. His ownership years were filled with great teams and many celebrations. Like many, many Clevelanders, he rues the rain of the 7th game of the 2016 World Series. Relatives and Friends will be received at St. John Funeral Home,16381 Chillicothe Rd, Chagrin Falls, OH on Thursday, February 27 from 4 – 7 PM. Mass of Christian Burial on Friday, February 28 at 11am at Church of The Holy Angels, 18205 Chillicothe Rd., Chagrin Falls, OH. Interment Private. Donations in his name would be gratefully accepted by the Alzheimer’s Association/Cleveland Chapter. No flowers, please.