James T. "Jim" Nolan

Jim Nolan, Cranston, RI, It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of James Thomas Nolan (51) on October 12, 2021. Jim was the beloved husband of Dana A. (Manocchio) Nolan, and the proudest father of James A. Nolan (19) and Christopher T. Nolan (18). Jim is predeceased by his father Bernard F. Nolan and survived by his mother Alice E. (Lent) Nolan, sister Mary Ann Polad and husband Mez, brother Frank Nolan and wife Carolyn, and California mom Isabel “Bif” Ingham. He was a dedicated uncle to 11 nieces and nephews: Nolan, Madeleine and Ellen Cotton, Lily and Ryan Nolan, John and Amelia Manocchio, Katherine and Molly Sidwell, and Oliver and Marina Nicholls.

Jim was born in Boston on August 16, 1970, and raised in Quincy, MA. He attended Archbishop Williams High School in Braintree, MA and graduated from Saint Anselm College in 1992 with a degree in Psychology. During one of his many weekends visiting his friend Bill at Union College, he met Dana, the love of his life and best friend for the past 29 years. Married in Jamestown, RI surrounded by family and friends on November 30, 1996, Jim and Dana embarked on their almost 25-year marriage. Together Jim and Dana raised two wonderful boys: James, a sophomore at the University of Rhode Island, and Christopher, a senior at St. Andrew’s School in Barrington. Nothing made Jim happier than his children and his family. They adored him thoroughly and completely, as he did them. Jim had a spirit that brought happiness to everyone around him. He was beloved for his sense of humor, light heartedness, wit, loyalty, kindness, generosity, and good nature. To know Jim was to love him and he was loved by many.

Jim worked for the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families for over 25 years, dedicating his life to protecting children. His work was hard, but he believed in the importance and value of it and brought his kindness and patience to every case, every child, and every visit. Jim brought light and love to all situations.

From the way he used to call his father Dadzo, to the numerous accents he would use when answering the phone or placing calls to coworkers, he left a path of smiling faces behind him every day. He arrived home every night looking forward to spending hours at the hockey rink watching the boys practice and traveling every weekend to games around New England. His favorite times were those spent with family, good friends, and good food, all of which he thankfully had in abundance. His world was full of love and laughter.

A celebration of Jim’s life to which relatives and friends are invited will be held on Sunday, October 24, 2021, 11:00 am - 3:00 pm, at Cucina Rustica, 555 Atwood Ave., Cranston, RI. A private burial will take place the following morning.

In remembrance of Jim’s life, the family asks that in lieu of flowers charitable donations be made to the organization from which they adopted their cherished dogs Jack and Gracie - PAWS New England (pawsnewengland.com).