Thomas Edward Nolan, Jr.

Thomas E. Nolan Jr. was born on April 3, 1951 and peacefully passed away on February 16, 2021. He was 69. Tom is the father of two, Greg and Meredith, who already miss him dearly, and the son of Earlene and Thomas Sr., who are now reunited with their son.

Tom lived his entire life in Pensacola, and he lived that life fully. He loved Pensacola’s beautiful beaches and literally had to get his knee replaced from the thousands of miles he walked on them. He was an entrepreneur for nearly a half century, starting his own business, Thomas E. Nolan Insurance and Investments, in his early twenties and continuing with it through to his passing. If you love what you do for a living, he often told his children, it will never feel like work. And he loved what he did—getting to know his clients and helping them to make their hopes for the future a reality.

A philosophy graduate from the University of West Florida, Tom was a lifelong learner who never stopped asking the big questions in life. Even in his later years, it was not uncommon for him to challenge his own assumptions under a favorite philosopher’s or theologian’s framework.

Music played a large role in Tom’s life. He decorated his home with album covers from the Beatles, Rolling Stones, and other favorite artists. He owned three guitars, a keyboard, and way too much stereo equipment—all of which he used every chance he got. Aside from their memories and character, probably the best gift he leaves to his children are recordings of music that he wrote, sang, and played.

Tom instilled in his children an enduring optimism, faith in themselves, and zest for life. It’s not often that the same person teaches one both the value of grit and determination and how to take time to smell the roses, but that is what Tom did. He taught this through example. He routinely worked long hours, well into the night, to do everything he could for his clients. Yet he could also drive to Pensacola Beach, breathe in the salty air, take in the water’s hues, the blue of the sky, and the warmth of the sun, and just smile that big smile he had when completely satisfied and present. And he could stay like that for hours.

His children will remember him most for the hundreds of movies they watched with him late into the night, long summer swim sessions, for his always being there for them as children and adults, for inspiring them to pursue happiness and meaning, for being a steadfast confidante and source of strength, and mostly for being the best damn father and friend that anyone could have ever hoped for.