Tributes

Born May 17, 1936 on Staten Island, Don graduated from NY State Ranger School and started his adult life as a forest ranger in 1956, first in the Adirondacks, then throughout the southeast, based in Birmingham, Alabama. There, he married (Aug. 1958) his first wife, Corrinne Zylman, fathering three children, twins Mark, Lynn and Pam. Corrinne urged him into a new career of singing and acting, then divorced him in 1965 when he chose to change careers. He met his present wife, Janet Woodworth, a dancer, in summer stock, and they married in Jan. 1967. Following eight years in New York City, (On/off Broadway, summer stock, dinner theater, etc.) and twenty years in Los Angeles, (dozens of TV shows including The Jeffersons, Dif'rent Strokes, Fresh Prince of Belaire, Martin Lawrence Show, etc.) where he created the role of Chief Guy Lewis for seven years on ABC’s General Hospital, they left for the woods of Ashland, Oregon. He continued to act in community theaters (Actors Theater, OR Stage Works, Rogue Valley Opera Co. etc.) in Ashland as well as occasionally finding work in other professional venues. He successfully challenged the roles of Willy Loman in Death of a Salesman and Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof as well as many comedies and dramas, such as The American Buffalo. He enjoyed touring with choral groups through 15 African countries, 5 European countries and China. Locally, he sang in two choral groups, entertained at assisted living facilities, and twice performed a one-man show featuring his life in showbiz. Reaching age 65, he decided to follow in the footsteps of his hero, Ernie Pyle, criss-crossing the country in his touring car, Lucy II, while learning about the beauty and diversity of this vast country. Finding interesting places was almost secondary to the characters he met along the road. He has written several books about his travels, which included visiting 55 of the 59 national parks, and running a sub 3-hour Boston marathon. He always claims that his favorite role has been in the real life soap-opera, The Don & Janet S how. He is survived by his wife, Janet, his sister, Darlene Willman, his three children, Mark Dolan, Lynn Noland, Pam Padgett, and his grandson, Zachary Noland.

Tributes

Don Gene Dolan

May 17, 1936 - September 22, 2020