Bill ‘Doly' Dolan closes in on his 102nd birthday

OGDENBURG-Bill Dolan is as much a landmark in Ogdensburg as the Backwards Tunnel or the Sterling Zinc Mine. Doly, as he's known to all who know and love him, is preparing to celebrate his 102nd birthday on May 23. Born in 1903 and a lifelong resident of the borough, he and Ruth, his wife of 68 years, built the house in which they are living in 1938. The couple smiled as they remembered a time when life was simpler, like driving on dirt roads without the benefit n or the necessity - of a driver's license, vacations at an aunt's home near Highland Lakes, and Ruth's vacation trip to Jersey City that was highlighted by a train ride. Doly's first job, which he began on Aug. 4, 1919, was in the machine shop of the New Jersey Zinc Company, where he remained for most of his working life, except for intermittent jobs when the mine temporarily closed. Doly recalled a time when there was only a general store in town and no restaurants, but that wasn't a hardship, he said, because, "We had three children in eight years. We didn't go out to too many places." "Everything is so much more expensive today," said Ruth. "In lots of ways, we were better off then. We had very little crime, but the city moved up here." "We have our family, and we have good friends and neighbors," she continued. "They're just like family." Doly said that the most significant invention in his lifetime is the computer because of the ability to communicate, but he also named it as the worst because it opened up so many new avenues for crimes, particularly those involving the exploitation of children. "I think we were better off before all these inventions," he mused. "So many things have changed in a hundred years. "Ogdensburg's built up since we're here. There are now four developments. Before the build-up, we knew everybody in town," he said a little sadly. Doly continued to drive until he was 97, having bought his first car, a blue Buick, in 1920 when he was 19. Asked how they kept busy growing up, Ruth said that they didn't go to too many places, and their activities centered on getting together to make their own fun. "Even when we were in high school, after dinner we would get together and just play a game of baseball," she said. "Could you imagine them doing that today?" Doly and Ruth met at the Idle Hour Theater, where dances were held with dance bands that had names like the Ramblers and the Saracens from Pennsylvania. Ruth was singing in an all-girl trio when she sang "Stardust" to Doly, their song. For Doly's 100th birthday, the Ogdensburg Mayor and Council presented him with the "key to the city." A corner of the couple's living room proudly displays a framed flag that flew over the White House on Doly's 100th birthday alongside a letter of congratulations from President and Mrs. Bush. He was also honored on that occasion with a dinner given by his fellow firefighters with some 200 people attending. He said it was a night he'll never forget. The Dolans are surrounded by their three children, Bill and Rebecca who live in Ogdensburg, and son Dave nearby in Lafayette. The pair has always been active in their churches, she at the Presbyterian Church and he at St. Thomas of Acquin; they have four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. As always, Doly is looking forward to the firefighters parade and his annual ride atop the fire truck. When Ogdensburg celebrated its 60th anniversary in 1978, he was bestowed the honor of the parade's grand marshal. The fire department played an important in Doly's life. He was a member from 1926-1951, and served as chief 1944-45. He is now a member of the "exempt association," allowing him to participate in the department's functions. He followed in his father's footsteps, who was a member 1918-1940. His sons continue the tradition. Doly's final comment was rather wistful: "Sometimes I have to pinch myself because I can't believe that I'm a hundred."