Dolan Family Honors Dad with Memorial Gift

February 21, 2023

If you have a loved one who has been impacted by Cretin-Derham Hall, establishing a memorial or tribute gift is a meaningful way to honor them. The Dolan family chose to honor their dad, Doc Dolan '53, with a gift to Cretin-Derham Hall.

Why did you and your family choose to make a gift to CDH in honor of your dad?

Cretin-Derham Hall was such a big part of my Dad’s life, it was an easy decision for our family to participate in the CDH Memorial Giving program. As a proud 1953 Cretin graduate, Doc stayed very close to his classmates by organizing class reunions, monthly lunch gatherings and he often gathered classmates to visit friends who were sick or in need of visitors. We are forever thankful for Doc’s Cretin friends as they were very devoted visitors in Doc’s last months with us. These visits meant a lot to Doc and really gave him a boost on days when he needed it.

Through the years Doc could always be found supporting his grandchildren at many sporting events. Many years ago, Doc chose to live across the street from CDH so that he wouldn’t miss any of his grandchildren’s games. Even when he had no grandchildren playing, he still never missed any games. Our family consists of four generations of proud graduates. We are thankful for the Cretin Derham Hall community as they offered up many prayers for Doc as he got closer to passing. We felt that a memorial gift to CDH was great way to say thank you for the gift of prayer as those prayers were answered and made for a peaceful passing for our father.

While his brothers attended St. Thomas Academy, Doc had the good fortune to attend Cretin where he displayed athletic prowess participating in football, basketball and baseball.  Doc and his brothers took the CDH-STA rivalry to a different level while maintaining mutual respect for one another and each school. 

What do you hope your gift provides to current and future students?

Our hope is that the contributions can be used to financially assist students who are also in pursuit of an outstanding catholic education and who want to be a part of an amazing community of students, faculty and alumni. Doc would specifically want the money to be used for tuition assistance for those that are working hard but just coming up a little short.

Doc understood that as the cost of education has risen over the years, the continued sacrifices that families have to make are significant and difficult.

Why would you encourage other people to make memorial gifts?

We believe that alumni have a responsibility to provide assistance in an effort to build students of high character and extreme religious and moral integrity which will provide a long term benefit to our community. Our hope is that we can make a difference and that someday the students will choose to give back and support others looking for similar assistance.