Johnny Nolan Monologue

We are gathered here today to honor the life and memory of Johnny Nolan. Johnny was a man who had a great heart, and was admired by everyone around him. He was a man who valued his family very much and always had good intentions for them, even though it didn't always work out the way he had planned. Johnny desired the finest education available to his children, he understood that his kids taking the route of education was their ticket to escaping from the poverty within in the family. When his daughter, Francie, wanted to transfer to a more pleasant school, he made that possible for her. Johnny saw how important going to that school was for Francie so he did what he could to get her there, even if it meant by making a false change. Johnny also shared a special connection with his son, Neely, through
Johnny and Katie had a passionate love for each. Johnny said “I only knew what true love was when I met Katie”. Johnny mentions how he was always anxious to please his wife. One way he pleased Katie was by giving up his love of signing as a waiter because Katie wanted him out of the business. Johnny quitting something so important to him shows how greatly he cared about her feelings. Johnny cared about her feelings so much that when he was fired from working nights at the school he did not let her know because, he did not want to worry and disappoint her. Instead he decided to get next months rent covered and tried to find another job to help support Katie and the new baby. Later in his life, when Johnny was working and had a stable job he told Francie how he was “happy to be able to work”. Johnny always tried to make everyone around him happy and now the city of Brooklyn will no longer hear Johnny signing as he comes up the stairs home from work. Johnny was a great son, father, husband, friend and entertainer. May he rest in peace, and stay in our hearts