Biography

11/14/1919 - 11/12/2016

Major Fraser Patrick “Pat” Donlan, Sr. (R22) Lackawanna County 1947-1950

Early Life:

Major Fraser Patrick “Pat” Donlan, Sr., born November 14, 1919, Lochore, Fife, Scotland; son of John Donlan and Isabella Fraser Donlan; emigrated, United States, 1924; Blakely High School, Peckville, Pennsylvania; Manhattan College; University of Scranton; enlisted, major, wounded, United States Marine Corps Reserve, Company E, 24th Marines 4th Marine Division, 1943-1945; married, Dorothy Freeman Donlan, 1945, children, Sandra Ann, Fraser Jr.; teacher, assistant football coach, Blakely High School; elected, Republican, Pennsylvania State Senate, 1947-1950; unsuccessful campaign, United States Congress; appointed, Workman’s Compensation Referee, 1951-1980; died, November 12, 2016 (age 97), Scranton Regional Hospital, Scranton, Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania. A memorial service, with full military honors, will be private for family only. 

Early Life:

Graduate of Blakely High School, captain, football team, captain, Lackawanna County Dream Game team of 1937; graduated, Manhattan College, where he played football in every game for 60 minutes. The New York Press Corps Nicknamed him the "Sixty-Minute Man" and the "Iron Man of College Football." He was named All-Metropolitan Tackle and Outstanding Lineman for New York City. He also received honorable mention for All-American honors for the All-American football team. Drafted by the Brooklyn Dodgers by a flip of a coin with the New York Giants to play football in the All-American Football League. 

After Pearl Harbor, enlisted, United States Marine Corps, February 15, 1943, assigned, 4th Marine Division. 4th Marine Division football team, won, championship, Armed Forces Pacific League, 1944.

Fought in campaigns, Marshall Islands, Saipan, Tinian, Mariana Islands, Iwo Jima. Iwo Jima's Hill 382, after fighting for two days, only six men were left alive from a company of 245 men. The hill, known as the "Meat Grinder," lost his left leg. Wounded in action four times, four Purple Hearts, two Silver Star medals, two Bronze Star medals, two Presidential Unit Citations, Pacific Theater Ribbon with four stars; rose in rank, second lieutenant to captain, retired, disability, Marine Corps, major, November 1, 1946.

Pennsylvania Politics:

Elected, Republican, Pennsylvania State Senate, 22nd district, Lackawanna County, 1947-1950.  

Unsuccessful campaign, United States Congress. 

Appointed, Governor John Sydney Fine, Workman’s Compensation Referee, November 27, 1951, retired, March 25, 1980.

Legacy: 

Manhattan College (Jaspers) Athletic Hall of Fame Induction 1994

Fraser "Pat" Donlan was one of finest players in the history of the football program. Donlan was known as an "iron man," starting at tackle for 28 straight games. He was selected to the All-Met Team in 1942, before being drafted by the Brooklyn Dodgers in the 11th round of the 1942 NFL Draft. Donlan would later serve in the Pennsylvania State Senate.

Born in Scotland, Nov. 14, 1919; educated in Blakely High School; Manhattan College; graduated from University of Scranton; Major, U.S.M.C.R., Co. E, 24th Marines; 4th Div., 1942-1946; action in the Marshall Islands, the Marianas, and Iwo Jima. Awarded Presidential Unit Citation, Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple Heart with three Gold Stars in lieu, Asiatic-Pacific with three Bronze Stars; elected to the state Senate Nov. 1946, served one term; remained in Blakely, Lackawanna County.

Pro Football Archives 

Fraser Patrick (Pat) Donlan, Height: 6-0 Weight: 188 Born: High School: Blakely (Peckville, Pennsylvania)

1938       Manhattan         

1939       Manhattan         

1940       Manhattan         

1941       Manhattan         

Draft: 11th round (97th overall) 1942 Brooklyn Dodgers  1942 NFL Draft Held December 22, 1941. 

Cited: 

Cox, Harold. "Senate Members D". Wilkes University Election Statistics Project. Wilkes University.

The Times-Tribune (Scranton, Pennsylvania) Wednesday, November 15, 2016 • Page B8.

HS FOOTBALL: A Look Back at every Dream Game played since 1935 | Access NEPA

1942 NFL Draft - Pro Football Archives