Michael Nolan

Jan 16, 2015

Stillwater, Minnesota

Michael (Mike) Xavier Nolan age 84 of Seattle, Washington and formerly of Stillwater, Minnesota died peacefully in his sleep on January 16, 2015 at his home. Born in St. Paul, MN on September 8, 1930 to Mildred and Leonard Nolan. He grew up with his brother and two sisters in the family home in Stillwater, Minnesota. Mike was a man of devout faith who dedicated his life to improving his corner of the world. An active and engaged member of many communities, he nourished his friendships and connections long after moving on, regularly attending his high school, seminary, and Peace Corps class reunions. He was actively involved in a variety of local groups, including the Blessed Sacrament parish, the water aerobics group at Ballard Pool, and the Stagehands Union (IASTE) Local 15. As a union member and passionate believer in social justice, Mike was a peaceful protestor during the Seattle WTO protests of 1999, and a great supporter of local social justice movements throughout his life. He had an authentic view of the world, and sought opportunities to enact positive change, both within the community at large and within himself. Mike lived his faith fully and deeply, serving others with compassion, grace, and the confidence that comes from knowing there is always joy to be found, if we only look hard enough. Mike was loving and conscientious; always willing to help a neighbor in need, care for a friend, and share a conversation and a laugh over a meal or cup of coffee. While he chose not to become ordained, he lived a life truly centered on his faith: attending daily mass whenever possible, spending time each morning in prayer and reading the Roman Breviary, finding time for deep contemplation during numerous monasterial retreats, and serving his community to the very best of his ability. He was never just a “Sunday Catholic,” and loved the 9 o’clock mass in particular because of the delicious treats and good conversation that were shared afterwards. Described as a living example of Agape love, Mike was a truly generous and compassionate man who found his greatest happiness in service to others. Mike’s gift for listening, and his remarkable storytelling ability were born in childhood, as he sought out and relished in the stories of his elders. His passion for the theater also developed early on, and he had his first big break as “little boy playing by the river” in a movie directed by his brother, Pat. In high school he was active in the renovation of the Teen Canteen, where dances and plays were held. One evening after a St Patrick’s Day party where he had learned the Irish Jig, he eagerly spent the rest of the night sharing a laugh as he taught it to his sister. Mike’s tremendous sense of humor was often on display, especially as he and his friends became known for creating dramatic and amusing disturbances in the neighborhood. Among their hijinks, one Halloween the police were alerted to a large and alarmingly realistic casket in the Nolan’s front yard. Another time, his mother spent the afternoon fielding distressed calls from her neighbors when the boys left a life-like dummy lying on her lawn while a wake was being held in a nearby home. After graduating from Stillwater High School in 1948, he joined the Minnesota National Guard and was called up to active duty in 1951. He served first in Alabama, and then in Korea, where he was the Chaplain’s Assistant. After the war, he entered St Paul Seminary, but stopped short of becoming ordained as a Catholic priest. In late 1960, he was inspired by his sister, Ann, to move to Seattle and escape the cold Minnesota winters. In Seattle, he was first hired by Archway Books (4th and Pine), where he continued until he was hired by The Boeing Company (Missile Division) in 1961. His principal assignment was in the operation, management and maintenance of the Minuteman Program Control Room (Management Information Center) which housed military classified data displays and served as the center for meetings both within Boeing and DOD/USAF. While he always felt morally torn about his involvement with military operations, his natural charm and good humor were great assets in containing the egos of some of the more notorious malcontents in the program! In 1962, he found his home at Blessed Sacrament Church, where he jumped right in to the community as a lead actor in “Murder in the Cathedral,” a church fundraiser. He spent the next 52 years building connections, relationships, and community in the parish, taking joy in attending as many church events as possible. Whenever time allowed, he was actively involved and fully present in the life of the church, from festivals and spiritual renewals to classes, prayer groups, weddings, and funerals. Mike resigned from Boeing to join the Peace Corps in 1969, where he was one of the first volunteers to serve “two glorious years in the jungles of Swaziland,” as he described it. He traveled extensively, and built close relationships with his fellow volunteers as well as the local community. He took great pleasure in maintaining these relationships over the years, and in being able to return to visit Swaziland and travel throughout the African continent in the late 1990’s. Upon completing his service in the Peace Corps, he returned to Seattle and had a variety of jobs, including passport photography and bartending (his charm and easy-going nature made him a natural!) Mike also worked extensively as a stagehand for the Seattle Opera, Seattle Symphony, Seattle Supersonics, and countless local productions and events. In addition, he enjoyed life onstage as an actor and model throughout this time, including a long run in local Bon Marche advertisements that was a source of much amusement for his family and friends. Mike returned to Boeing in 1978 and worked on the Morgantown Rapid Transit Program, the Advanced Growth Rapid Transit System and the Roland Missile Program. During this period he continued his stage work as time allowed, and was delighted when he learned that he was eligible for Stagehand Union membership. He jumped at the opportunity to leave Boeing and pursue opportunities more in line with his morals and values. Receiving membership in the IASTE Local 15 was one of the highlights of his personal and professional life, and allowed him to spend the remainder of his career nourishing his love of the arts and enjoying his time “on, over or under the stage,” whatever the situation required. Mike appreciated the opportunity to work on a wide variety of productions, though hard rock and roll was never his favorite. In particular, he loved that working several different shows each week offered the chance to visit with and befriend many different people. An enthusiastic union member, he held a variety of local and appointed positions over the years, and attended monthly meetings without fail, even after his recent retirement. He once noted that a highlight of his stage work was holding a towel for the beautiful Diana Rigg to wear when she exited the nude scene every evening during the run of her play. Mike will be deeply missed; his consistency, kindness, generosity of self and spirit, and his joyful good nature were a blessing to our lives. He gave of himself, his time, his talent, and his treasure in support of his family, friends, and parish. Whether at a community gathering or sitting across the coffee table, he was always fully present, sharing of himself and engaging thoughtfully with those around him. His youngest family and friends especially appreciated his sense of humor, his patience and the way he always took them seriously, expressing genuine interest in whatever they wanted to share. We all appreciated his humanity and empathy, and the way he moved through the world with mercy and kindness. Mike was preceded in death by his parents; 2 baby brothers and his sister Ann Gertrude Nolan (Maury) Harper. Survivors include: siblings, Pat Nolan (Mary Finnegan), Richfield, MN; Mary Ellen (Bernie) Peltier, Stillwater, MN; Nieces and nephews, Kilty (Mike) Nolan Mahoney; Bryn Mawr, PA; Helene Harper Roberge, Snohomish, WA; Maurice N. (Mi Young) Harper, Lynwood, WA; Maureen Harper (Craig Smith), Evanston, IL; John (Kimberlee) Harper, Kenmore, WA; Michael (Jeanine) Harper, Derby KS; Mary Ann Peltier Rigney, Stillwater, MN; John (Donna) Peltier, Stillwater, MN; Bill Peltier, Stillwater, MN; Tim Peltier, Stillwater, MN; Michael Peltier, Stillwater, MN; Robert (Nancy) Peltier, Stillwater, MN. Grand nieces and nephews, Meghan, Philip, Sarah Ann, Aura Lee, Hannah, Andrew, ZiTao, ZiGui, Mei Ying, Chanel, Sadie, Donald, Christopher, Sarah Elizabeth, Brittany, Amy (Nate), James, Alex and Alida, and beloved cousins. Mass of Christian Burial 11 AM Monday February 23, 2015 at ST. MICHAEL’S CATHOLIC CHURCH in Stillwater, Minnesota. Visitation one hour prior to the Mass at the CHURCH. Please join the family after the Mass in the Social Hall for a lunch and to share your stories of Mike. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Group Health Research Institute – Geriatric Research Fund, Blessed Sacrament Church, or the charity of your choice. Interment with Military honors will be held at St. Michael’s Cemetery in Bayport, Minnesota. His absence is a presence that will be felt for a long time to come.