William 'Bill' Nolan, retired electrician

William "Bill" Nolan, 81, of Indian Summer, Millsboro, departed this life Monday, Feb. 10, 2014, with his loving wife Shirley by his side. After serving in the U.S. Navy and running the Village Inn restaurant in Laurel, Bill worked for 41 years as an electrician for the Pennsylvania Railroad/Amtrak.

In his two decades of retirement, Bill enjoyed a full, active life as an avid gardener (striving each year to have that first ripe tomato by July 4th) and spent many happy days on the water -  fishing, clamming and crabbing. He also enjoyed working with Shirley in support of many events at American Legion Post 28, as well as cheering (and being exasperated by) the efforts of the Philadelphia Phillies and Eagles.

But mostly, Bill enjoyed sharing his time with his family. In addition to Shirley, his wife of nearly 60 years, he is survived by son Michael and his wife Marie, daughter Debbie Kruzienski and her husband Ed, son Tim and his wife Debby, and son Jay and his wife Beth. Bill enjoyed a special relationship with each of his six grandchildren: Andrew and Amy Krusinski and Tyler, Jena, Sara and Zack Nolan. Always a lover of animals, Bill leaves behind multiple grand-dogs and grand-cats.

One of 10 children, Bill is survived by sisters Jane DePrisco, Pat Matarease, and Shirley Renzi, as well as dozens of nieces, nephews, and other family members. He is predeceased by his parents, Helen and John Nolan; sisters Winifred Tull, Helen Ferguson and Mary Clark; and brothers John, Bernard and Charles Nolan.

As a 20-year cancer survivor, Bill had perfected the art of appreciating every day and treasuring the love and companionship of his wife, family and friends. The sorrow at his passing is tempered only by a profound sense of gratitude that his time with us was so full of love and happiness.

Bill’s life will be celebrated at a short memorial service at 1 p.m., Friday, Feb. 14, at the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Millsboro.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a contribution to the Delaware Valley Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 2004 Sproul Road, Suite 208, Broomall, PA 19008, or to a charity of your choice.

Arrangements by Melson Funeral Services.