It's been more than 30 years since James Dolan Sr. worked as a chemist for the city of Easton.

But he left enough of a mark in his time here that City Council took time out of its meeting Monday night to remark on his death.

"It seems like he was here for more than five years," Mayor Sal Panto told members of Dolan's family, who gathered at St. Paul's Lutheran Church to watch council pass a resolution expressing sympathy for Dolan.

Dolan, 70, died Sept. 8 at St. Luke's University Hopsital. Between 1976 and 1981, he worked as a chemist for the city. In that time, Panto said, he modernized the lab at the city's water plant.

Even council members who never met Dolan had good things to say.

"I did not know him personally, but I know what he did," said Councilman Roger Ruggles. "It’s one of those jobs…you’re actually protecting the entire city."

And after Dolan moved onto other jobs, he remained active, Panto said.

"We used to always talk about the city. He never forgot the city," said the mayor.