Dr. Patrick J. Nolan VI, Father, Emmy Award Winning Writer, Professor, Navy Veteran.

Dr. Patrick J. Nolan VI, 88, a former English professor of American Literature at Villanova University for over 40 years, and an Emmy Award winning writer of the film 'The Jericho Mile', passed away peacefully on November 4, 2021 surrounded by his loving family

Dr. Nolan, the son of Irish Immigrant parents, Patrick and Catherine Nolan, was born January 2, 1933 in the Bronx, NY, and raised on Sigel Street in South Philadelphia, PA. He was an accomplished student and athlete at Bishop Neumann High School (formerly South Catholic High School). He was an All City Philadelphia Basketball player in high school (one of the best in the city, and he said it was one of his proudest accomplishments). He received his BA from Villanova University in 1955, his Masters Degree from the University of Detroit in 1961 and his Doctorate from Bryn Mawr College in 1973.

Dr. Nolan served in the United States Navy (1955-1959) reaching the rank of Lieutenant, Junior Grade, where he was second in command on a minesweeper and stationed in Long Beach, CA and the Inland Sea of Japan. He was a teaching fellow and faculty member of the English Department at the University of Detroit (1959-1962), and a full professor of American Literature at Villanova University from 1962 until his retirement in the early 2000's. He was also an adjunct professor of American Literature at the Curtis Institute of Music.

Dr. Nolan was a prolific screenwriter, playwright, novelist, poet, educator and orator. He was a recipient of the Teaching Excellence Award from 'Philadelphia Magazine' in 1980. He received the prestigious Alumni Medallion Award from Villanova University in 1986. He was listed in Marquis "Who's Who" In America, as a notable screenwriter, playwright and educator, and was a member of The Writers Guild of America - West Chapter. He was an authority on the American Playwright, Eugene O'Neil, as seen in Dr. Nolan's one man play, inspired by the life and plays of Eugene O'Neil, 'Midnight Rainbows'. He was a Volunteer Director at Daemion House Community Counseling Center in Berwyn, PA.

In 1979 Patrick Nolan won an Emmy Award for his original story and teleplay, 'The Jericho Mile', which is now considered a "Cult Classic" and has influenced a number of juggernaut creatives, including Brad Pitt (Money Ball), Scott Derrickson (Director of Marvel's 'Doctor Strange'), and Ronan Bennett (Creator and Writer of the series 'Top Boy', and the writer of the film 'Public Enemies'). Scott Derrickson stated in an online interview "I loved it so much. It was the first time I could watch a movie more than once. I started to watch it every day. I started to watch it over and over and over again. Dozens of times. I became addicted to this experience of repeatedly viewing this same movie". Brad Pitt stated, in regard to 'The Jericho Mile', when interviewed by TIME Magazine about the film 'Money Ball', "…it's how it relates to 'Money Ball', it's that quiet victory, the one that's not splashed across headlines and given trophies. I have so much respect for that. That film (Jericho Mile) came to mind and stuck with me since, and it probably is one of those things that led me to this (Money Ball)". Ronan Bennett stated in correspondence with Patrick's son, Mark, "Be under no illusion, I think the film a masterpiece".

Dr. Nolan influenced thousands of students over his career. He was once told by the daughter of a student, an elderly man, who was auditing his class, that his teaching made it easier for her father to pass on, to accept his letting go at the end of his life.

He was an avid runner, swimmer, tennis player, skier and collector of art. Some of his fondest memories were watching his two sons, Patrick and Christian, play baseball as children and teens, both of which were all-star pitchers. "You could always hear him, over every other parent, screaming from the stands when my brothers would hit a dinger or strike out a hitter, he was so proud of that and he made sure they knew it" said his son Mark.

"Our Dad was a prolifically creative, exceptionally unique, highly intelligent, talented, complicated, artistic, loving and caring person who lived an incredibly full life that could be envied by most. He always supported his son's dreams and passions. If it weren't for him, I never would have picked up the drums, and he wouldn't let me quit lessons when I started to get good. That's what sent me on my lifetime journey as a career musician and composer. He was always by his three sons side, he helped guide us through this world. He will now guide us in our hearts and from above. We will all miss him dearly" said his son Mark.

Dr. Patrick J. Nolan is survived by his three sons and daughter in-law; Patrick VII and Nicole (Volikas), Christian, Mark; grandchildren, Patrick VIII, Athena, Connor; his sister, Mary McGonigle; and former wife Karen Nolan (O'Connor); as well as many loving nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.

The family will be receiving visitors on Tuesday November 23rd  beginning at 11:30 AM followed by a Funeral Mass at 12:15 PM at St. Katharine of Siena Roman Catholic Church, Lancaster & Aberdeen Aves., Wayne PA. For those unable to attend, the Funeral Mass will be livestreamed from the Parish website. Go to www.stkatharineofsiena.org scroll down and click on SKS YouTube to view the mass.  Interment will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery, Yeadon, PA.

Please feel free to view the obituary that was written by Gary Miles of the Philadelphia Inquirer

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