Beloved Ex-Hasbrouck Heights Teacher Sean Dolan Dies

HASBROUCK HEIGHTS, NJ — Sean Dolan, a beloved former teacher at Euclid Elementary School and lifelong educator, died Saturday after a two-and-a-half year battle with cancer. He was 50.

Donal was a popular and well-loved teacher, principal, superintendent, and coach in many school districts, his obituary states. He taught in Hasbrouck Heights, Wood-Ridge, and Mountain Lakes. He started the wrestling programs at Wood-Ridge and Mountain Lakes.

Later, he was a vice principal in Randolph and Mountain Lakes. He also took pride in coaching the Randolph High School football team and the Mountain Lakes High School soccer and wrestling teams.

He then became principal of the Borough School in Morris Plains for many years when he took such pride in not only his school but the community.

He finished his career in education as superintendent of schools in Fredon Township when he had to take a medical retirement in 2016.

He cared so much about the districts that he worked in and knew the names of all of his students, teachers, faculty members, and parents, the obituary states.

Dolan had a passion for music. He enjoyed playing the drums and in his early years he was a singer and songwriter in his own band. He performed at a festival at Montclair State University and at New York City night clubs.

His passion for creative writing never faded. After his diagnosis, he authored two books: A children's book called "The Boy With The Sketch Book" and a book of poetry, "Sleeping With Lions."

He read "The Boy With The Sketch Book" and shared his story to never give up on your goals no matter what.

Dolan is survived by his parents, John and Bernadette (nee Capelli), wife of 24 years, Lisa, daughter Cameron, sons Grayson and Ethan, brother Evan Dolan, aunt Angela and uncle Joey Starr, mother- and father-in-law Tony and Adrianne DiBello, sister- and brother-in-law Rebecca and Scott Ruland, nephew Shane, cousins Darren Starr and Jody Zizza, and many friends, students, and colleagues.

Visitation is Wednesday from 3 to 8 p.m. at St. Brigid Church, 129 Main St., Peapack. A funeral Mass is Thursday at 11 a.m., at St. Brigid Church. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory can be made to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, P.O. Box 5028, Hagerstown, Md. 21741-5028, or online at mskcc.org.

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com

Photo: Sean Dolan (Courtesy of Bailey Funeral Home/background image via Shutterstock)