He told children curious about the glass eye that he lost the original one "in a shell while diving into a wave at the Jersey Shore," said his daughter, Dianne.
In September 1945, Mr. Nolan married his high school sweetheart, Bertha Raskis. She died in 2006.
He took a job with the Gloucester City Post Office and quickly became "everyone's favorite mailman," his daughter said. In 1944, a woman on his postal route honored him with a poem, "Andy the Mailman."
An avid sports fan, Mr. Nolan followed Notre Dame, Gloucester Catholic, and Gloucester High football. He enjoyed watching his wife and children play and coach sports at the high school and college level. Dianne Nolan is head women's basketball coach at Lafayette College in Easton.
Mr. Nolan was active in St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church and, as a member of the Knights of Columbus, he was instrumental in founding the Children's Christmas Fund in the 1940s. The effort raised money for holiday gifts for needy youngsters.
In addition to his daughter, he is survived by a son, Andrew Jr.; six grandchildren; and a sister.
Visitation is set for 10 to 11:30 a.m. Monday, Nov. 12, at St. Mary Roman Catholic Church, 426 Monmouth St., Gloucester City, to be followed by a Mass at 11:30 a.m. U.S. Marine Corps military honors will follow at the church. Interment will be private at New St. Mary's Cemetery, Bellmawr.
Memorial donations may be made to the Gloucester Catholic High School Alumni Fund, in memory of Andrew J. Nolan Sr., 333 Ridgeway St., Gloucester, N.J. 08030.
Contact Bonnie L. Cook at 215-854-2611 or bcook@phillynews.com.
