Former Libertyville activist, politician Dolan dies

In more than four decades as manager of a local retail store, James Dolan had ample opportunity to get upset with demanding customers.

But he never let it show, respecting the motto the customer always came first.

"In all the years I saw him work at retail stores, I never saw him get mad at a customer," said his son, Mike. "He raised us in a way ... to respect the system and work within it."

Dolan, 88, died Sunday at the Westmoreland Care Center in Lake Forest. He lived in Libertyville for 53 years and was involved in an array of community and volunteer activities.

He was one of the organizers of the original Frontier Days, a merchant-backed idea that evolved into Libertyville Days, a traditional annual event.

He moved to Libertyville to manage Chandler's Inc., an office supply store and never left the job or the town.

"I found a little banner. He was a 50-year member of the Lions Club," his son said. "He was very community minded."

Along the way he served as president of the chamber of commerce, organized tournaments as secretary of the Northwest Suburban Bowling Proprietors, and was a key force in the Libertyville Little League's move to Butler Lake Park.

Later, he ventured into politics, becoming a Libertyville Township trustee before being elected to the Lake County Board, where he served from 1982 to 1992.

"He knew a lot of people - more than my brother and sister and I realized," Mike Dolan said.

His father ran with Bob Depke, former county board chairman.

"He was the perfect guy for the job because he was retired and had business experience," Depke said.

A meticulous worker who was always organized, Mike Dolan said, his father's associates described him as having the ability to bring calm to stormy situations.

He also used his business skill and attention to detail to help seniors as a volunteer Senior Health Insurance Preparer at Advocate Condell Medical Center.

On the county board, he served on the finance committee.

Funeral services are at 11 a.m. Thursday at First Presbyterian Church, 219 W. Maple Ave. Visitation is 3 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Burnett-Dane Funeral Home, 120 W. Park Ave. Burial will be at Lakeside Cemetery.

Memorials can be made to the Lakeside Cemetery Renovation Fund or Advocate Condell Auxiliary.