By Al Benson
Late Aurora businessman, community leader and Navy veteran Dan Dolan, Sr., was honored with dedication of Dan Dolan Way, a street section, Tuesday, Aug. 16. The City of Aurora government sponsored the 11 a.m. event outdoors near the intersection of Illinois State Route 31 and Indian Trail Road.
Route 31 in Aurora from east Illinois Avenue to east Indian Trail Road was named Dan Dolan Way.
Speakers included State representatives Stephanie Kifowit and Keith Wheeler. They presented copies of a joint House resolution honoring Dolan to family members. Legislators passed the resolution April 9.
Kifowit and State senator Karina Villa presented the resolution. House chief co-sponsors were representatives Barbara Hernandez, Maura Hirschauer and Wheeler.
Other speakers were Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin, Mike Eckburg, commander, Roosevelt-Aurora American Legion Post 84; Maria Manzo, aide to congressman Bill Foster; and Brian Dolan, who spoke for the family.
Dolan died in February 2020 two days after his 89th birthday.
An Aurora native, he was graduated from East Aurora High School. During the Korean War, he served in the United States Navy aboard the USS Knapp destroyer. Later he became a successful real estate developer and established Dolan and Murphy Inc. of Aurora in the 1960s. His Company sponsored the Shamrocks fastpitch softball team for more than 35 years. He was inducted into the International Softball Congress Hall of Fame.
For more than 50 years, he was involved with Aurora Boys Baseball. Kifowit said, “This ceremony and permanent tribute to the life and memory of Dan Dolan is a fitting way to honor a person that contributed so much to his country and community.
“Mr. Dolan was an iconic figure in Aurora, always putting country and community first.
“‘Dan Dolan Way’ will remind all who drive this section of highway of the positive impact this great man had on so many.”