In Memoriam: Paul Nolan

In Memoriam: Paul Nolan

By University Relations - Communications
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Paul Nolan
Paul Nolan

Paul Edward Nolan Jr., a longtime faculty member in the UA College of Pharmacy, died on Sept. 4. He was 59 years old.

A memorial Mass and reception is planned for Saturday at 11 a.m. at St. Thomas More Catholic Newman Center, 1615 E. Second St.

Nolan joined the UA faculty in 1980 and remained with the UA College of Pharmacy until his retirement as a full professor earlier this year. He also served as a cardiovascular clinical pharmacist at the UA Medical Center and as a senior clinical scientist with the UA's Sarver Heart Center.

While at the UA, Nolan worked closely with Dr. Jack Copeland, his mentor, and the UA's Artificial Heart Program. As a key member of the program's team, Nolan had the responsibility of managing anticoagulation for patients on artificial heart devices. He achieved international recognition for his work and earned the nickname "Dr. Clot."

"In addition to his many years of teaching and scholarship in the Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science at the University of Arizona, Dr. Nolan touched many patients' lives through his clinical service activities performed at our academic medical center," said Brian Erstad, head of the department.

Nolan was born on Nov. 17, 1954 in Norwood, Massachusetts, to Paul and Margaret Nolan. He attended St. Catharine's Elementary School and Norwood High School, where he loved spending the fall afternoons competing on the football field. He graduated from Northeastern University College of Pharmacy with a Bachelor of Science degree in pharmacy. He then attended the University of Kentucky, where he earned a Doctor of Pharmacy degree and completed his pharmacy residency. 

In addition to his devotion to his patients at the UA Medical Center, Nolan adored his daughters, Cooper and Cameron. He loved rooting on the sidelines at their soccer games, coming up with numerous nicknames and enduring endless shopping trips to the mall. He spent hours bragging to whoever would listen about his girls.

Nolan is preceded in death by his parents and his brother Jeff. He is survived by his daughters; his siblings Steve (Kathy) and Anne Marie Finneran (Chris); godmother Irene Gillaspy; numerous aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces and cousins; and his Australian shepherds, Mia and Emma.

In lieu of flowers, Nolan requested that donations be made to either the Scottsdale Christian Academy football team or the St. Elizabeth of Hungary Clinic.

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