Donald V. Carolan

Donald Vincent Carolan

Donald Carolan died peacefully on Thursday, May 22, 2025, at Overlook Hospital, Summit, New Jersey, at the age of 69 surrounded by his loving family and friends.

Don is survived by his devoted wife, Madeline McLaughlin and two loving children James Carolan (and wife Katie) and Sara Carolan, and two grandchildren. He is also survived by his dear sister Diane Anderson (and husband Hank) and nephew Max (and wife Alie) and grandniece. He was predeceased by his brother Bruce Carolan.

Born in Elizabeth and raised in Cranford, New Jersey, Don attended St. Michaels Grammar School and Cranford High School. He then attended Kean College and earned a BA in Public Administration. Don pursued a career in Gerontology. He worked for Catholic Community Services as a Nursing Home Ombudsman and then took a job with the County of Union working for the Division on Aging. He continued to work for the county and took a job as a Planner for Runnels Hospital and was instrumental in the planning and building of the new hospital. Following his job with the county, Don pursued a career in the Health Insurance Industry and took a job with Blue Cross Blue Shield of NJ and became their expert on Medicare as a Secondary Payer. He was an excellent source of all systems and information related to Medicare and retired due to health issues.

During his lifetime, he was a member of the First Presbyterian Church where he served as an Elder, Deacon and Sunday School Teacher.

Don loved the Mountains and the Jersey Shore. He enjoyed time with family and friends traveling to Vermont, the beach, the ocean and walking the boardwalk. He enjoyed taking several cruises to the Islands and listening to the music. He enjoyed associating with friends and family around the dinner table. He was a longtime and fervent NY Mets Fan and learned to love football specifically the NY Giants and never missed watching a game.

A memorial service will be 2 pm at the Snyder Chapel of the First Presbyterian Church of Cranford on June 14, 2025. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation, 656 Quince Orchard Rd Suite 650 Gaithersburg, Maryland 20878.