Howard C. Nolan Jr.

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Howard C. Nolan Jr.
Member of the New York State Senate
In office
1975–1994
Preceded byWalter B. Langley
Succeeded byMichael J. Hoblock Jr.
Constituency42nd district
Personal details
Born(1932-08-24)August 24, 1932
First Lieutenant
UnitUnited States Marine Corps Judge Advocate Division

Howard C. Nolan Jr. (August 24, 1932 – June 17, 2023) was an attorney and politician from Albany, New York who served in the New York State Senate from 1975 to 1994.

Early life

Howard Charles Nolan Jr. was born in

first lieutenant in the Judge Advocate Division.[3] After returning from the military Nolan practiced law in Albany, and later was a co-founder of Nolan & Heller, LLP.[1]

Career

A Democrat, in 1974 he was elected to the New York State Senate from the 42nd District.[3] Nolan was reelected every two years until 1992, and served from 1975 to 1994.[3][a] He did not run for reelection in 1994.[3] In 1977, Nolan ran unsuccessfully for mayor of Albany, losing the Democratic primary to longtime incumbent Erastus Corning 2nd.[3] During his time in the state senate, Nolan was one of the few Democrats who opposed the pro-choice position on abortion.[4][5]

A longtime civic activist, Nolan served on the Board of Trustees for St. Peter’s Hospital.[3] He also served on the board of directors of the State of New York Mortgage Agency, the Community Foundation for the Capital Region, and WMHT (TV).[2] Nolan was chairman of the board of the Cerebral Palsy Foundation and the Center for the Disability Services, and was a member of the Marine Corps League, the Knights of Columbus, the Ancient Order of Hibernians, and the Albany Chamber of Commerce.[2] In addition, he maintained an interest in horse racing, was the owner of several thoroughbreds, and served as president of New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. and chairman of Breeders' Cup Ltd.[2][3] One Nolan initiative while in the senate combined his interest in criminal justice policy with his background in horse racing; In conjunction with the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, he created the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation in Wallkill, which provides sanctuary for retired racehorses and the opportunity for inmates to build life skills by participating in a vocational training program.[2]

Retirement and death

In retirement, Nolan lived in Delmar, New York and Pompano Beach, Florida.[3] He died in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on June 17, 2023.[3] He was buried at Gerald B. H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery.[2]

Nolan was the subject of a memoir and biography, 2018's Politics and Ponies by Bill Heller.[6]

Family

Nolan was married first to Geraldine Leonard, with whom he was the father of seven children.[3] They later divorced, and she died in 2016.[3] Nolan's second wife was Shannon Logan, who survived him.[3]

Notes

References

  1. ^ a b c The New York Red Book. Vol. 92. Albany, NY: Williams Press. 1993. p. 151 – via Google Books.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "Obituary, Howard Nolan". Legacy.com. Chicago, IL: Legacy.com, Inc. June 24, 2023. Retrieved February 4, 2024 – via Times Union.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Seiler, Casey (June 21, 2023). "Howard Nolan, 90, bucked Albany's Democratic machine". Times Union. Albany, NY.
  4. Newspapers.com
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  5. Newspapers.com
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  6. ^ Cagara, Diego (September 26, 2018). "Former state Sen. Howard Nolan's book discusses his two passions, named aptly in its title". Spotlight News.com. Delmar, NY.

Sources

New York State Senate
Preceded by New York State Senate
42nd District

1975–1994
Succeeded by