Harold “Hal” Edmond Dolenga, 85, of Hendersonville passed away on Saturday, May 25, 2019 at the Elizabeth House after battling cancer. Hal was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, teacher, and Naval officer who inspired others with his tenacity, diligence, ingenuity, and wittiness. Hal was a trooper who overcame many challenges, including surviving cancer twice. His earthly burdens have been lifted now and he is at peace with God.
Hal was born in Detroit, MI to the late Marcell and Cecelia Dolenga. He graduated from the Naval Academy, received his MBA at Harvard, and his PhD at Northwestern University. He retired as a Captain in the U.S. Navy after 26 years of service, which took his family to many locations, including Italy, California and Virginia. After retiring from the Navy, Hal served as Chairman of the MBA Program at DeSales University in Allentown, PA. Since retiring from the university he has resided in Maryland, Florida, and North Carolina.
Hal was an avid boater who loved being on or by the water, a member of the Kiwanis International service club, and a member of Balfour United Methodist Church.
In addition to his parents, Hal is preceded in death by his sister, Julia Dolenga; brothers, Arthur (Carol) Dolenga, Marcell Dolenga, Jr., Richard (Margaret) Dolenga, and Donald Dolenga; and grandson, Henry Ramirez.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 63 years, Nancy E. Dolenga of Hendersonville; daughters Kathy Dolenga of Orange Park, FL; Karen Gutierrez of Orange Park, FL; Julie Davis of Arden, NC; and Lisa Fennell (Shawn) of Waxhaw, NC; grandchildren, David Gutierrez, Bryan Fennell, Alison Fennell, Amanda Davis, and Cristian Davis; great-grandchildren Isaiah Ramirez and Dalia Gutierrez; sister-in-law Patricia Dolenga; and nieces and nephews, Gary Dolenga, Carole Kerr, Martha Dolenga, Mary Dolenga, Ruth Davis, David Dolenga, Michael Dolenga, and Laura Walston.
A Memorial Service will be held on June 29 at Balfour United Methodist Church at 12:30 p.m. with a reception at the church after the service. Inurnment in the Columbarium at the Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD will take place at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made in Hal’s honor to the Salvation Army or the U.S. Navy Memorial.