Edward J. Nolen, 80, Penn accountant

Edward J. Nolen, 80, of Cape May, a longtime accountant for the University of Pennsylvania, died of kidney failure on Wednesday, May 15, at St. Joseph Villa, a nursing-care facility in Flourtown.

Born in Abington, Mr. Nolen graduated from La Salle College High School and earned a bachelor's degree in accounting at what is now La Salle University.

A nephew, Jay McCarthy, said Mr. Nolen "went to college at nights," which was convenient because La Salle was "just down the street" from his home in Germantown.

"Right out of high school and for several years," McCarthy said, Mr. Nolen worked at "different office jobs."

And at some point while attending night school at La Salle, "he was a full-time employee of the University of Pennsylvania. I think he always worked in the financial part of the university, prior to being an accountant."

Mr. Nolen retired from Penn in 1998, McCarthy said.

"He was a proud La Salle Explorer," his nephew said. "He loved to travel to Ireland, and go from town to town and stay in inns," and in that way, he acquired "a boatload of friends."

Mr. Nolen was "a man of great faith and very involved in his church," both at the former Immaculate Conception parish in East Germantown and, since retiring, at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church in Cape May.

He was a member of the Knights of Columbus.

Besides his nephew, Mr. Nolen is survived by sisters Rosemary Bradley and Carolyn McCarthy, 20 nieces and nephews, and 30 great-nieces and great-nephews.

A visitation was set for 10 a.m. Monday, May 20, at St. Luke the Evangelist Church, Easton Road and Fairhill Avenue, Glenside, before an 11 a.m. Funeral Mass, with burial in Hillside Cemetery, Roslyn.

Donations may be sent to the Little Sisters of the Poor, 5300 Chester Ave., Philadelphia 19143.

Condolences may be offered to the family at www.urbanfuneralhome.com.

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