Tony Dolce

JAMESTOWN — Tony Dolce, the Jamestown City Council’s longest-tenured member and former president, has passed away in his sleep.

City Council members were notified Saturday morning by Mayor Kim Ecklund, who had served alongside Dolce on the council for more than 20 years prior to winning election as mayor.

“Today is an incredibly difficult day for the city of Jamestown. We mourn the passing of Councilman Anthony ‘Tony’ Dolce — a dedicated public servant, respected leader, and someone who devoted more than three decades of his life to the community he loved,” Ecklund said in a statement released late Saturday. “For more than 30 years, Tony dedicated his life to serving the people of Jamestown. His love for this city was evident in everything he did, and his commitment to our community never wavered. I had the privilege of serving alongside Tony on the City Council for more than 20 years before becoming Mayor. Over those years, we developed a close working relationship that grew into a lasting friendship. I always valued his experience, his thoughtful perspective, and his unwavering commitment to doing what he believed was best for Jamestown.”

Dolce was heavily involved in the push to save Ss. Peter and Paul after the church was scheduled to close by the Buffalo Diocese of the Catholic Church, was a constant presence in recent years at Russell E. Diethrick Park after his son, Christian, was named general manager of the Jamestown Tarp Skunks and a steady presence on the City Council since the 1990s.

Dolce is a lifelong resident of Jamestown, graduating from Jamestown High School and also teaching there for over 35 years as a government and economics teacher. Dolce has been active in multiple other places in the community, including his church; Holy Apostles Parish, and multiple boards and commissions such as the YMCA board, the Lakeview Cemetery board and Board of Public Utilities Board of Directors. Dolce also serves on the Jamestown Local Development Corporation, and JURA. He is an active runner in the community, helping to raise money for causes and charities over the years. He also served as an assistant coach of the Jamestown High School cross country team and was a coach for the JHS baseball team.

Dolce has served the district since 1989, serving for one year at Washington Middle School before spending the balance of his 35-year career at JHS. He has advised the classes of 1992, 1996, 2001, 2005, and 2017, and has overseen student organization since 2005, a position that placed Dolce in a position to oversee the annual JHS Battle of the Classes.

“Tony cared deeply about this community and the people who call it home,” Ecklund said in her statement. “His decades of public service have left a lasting mark on our city, and his legacy will continue to be felt for generations to come. On behalf of the City of Jamestown, I extend my heartfelt condolences to Tony’s family, friends, fellow council members, and all who are mourning his loss. Tony will be remembered not only for his extraordinary service to Jamestown, but for the kindness, dedication, and genuine care he showed to so many. He will be deeply missed, and his memory will forever be a part of the City of Jamestown.”

Dolce is survived by his wife, Anne, and grown children Amelia and Christian.