TRIBUTES have been paid to a “true Jersey gentleman”, Occupation survivor and daredevil after he passed away at the age of 98.
Don Dolbel was well-known for his detailed stories of the German rule of the Island, his love for boxing, adventurous spirit, proficiency in Jèrriais, passion for riding motorbikes, his involvement in charity work and his musical abilities.
A man of many talents, Mr Dolbel worked in the merchant navy, as a docker on the piers, in the fields and glasshouses growing potatoes and tomatoes, and as a baker.
He played the accordion for most of his life and sang in multiple choirs.
Mr Dolbel grew up in St Ouen during the Occupation and has previously shared his experiences with the JEP.
He remembered how a beaten egg was all that he would have for dinner to fuel his boxing training as a teenage boy during the harsh winter of 1944.
And he also recalled some close encounters with the occupying forces while baking extra loaves and transporting a dead pig back from Grève de Lecq on his bicycle.
“I had more lives than a cat. I went straight past a group of soldiers, but they didn’t stop me,” he said.
“I started riding motorbikes in 1945 and during the Occupation I nabbed some petrol from the Germans for my bike
“I also used to do a lot of boxing and at one time, in the 1970s, I ran four boxing clubs on the Island.”
Mr Dolbel continued to seek adventure and thrills even in his later years. In his 90s, he scaled Mont Orgueil to raise funds for charity, while also skydiving, motorcycling, kayaking, and even wing walking.
After taking to the skies in an ultralight aircraft in 2016, Mr Dolbel told the JEP: “Life is for living. They say when you’re dead you are dead for a long time, but I’ll let you know!”
Islander Toby McMichael shared the news of Mr Dolbel’s passing on social media at the weekend, and reflected on his incredible life, from his “mischievous” youth to his later achievements.
Mr McMichael added: “He is now with his much-loved wife Doreen at last.”
In response, hundreds of Islanders shared their memories of Mr Dolbel – describing him as a “Jersey character” and a “true gentleman”.
Politicians were among those to pay tribute to Mr Dolbel. Deputy Sam Mézec said: “Very sad news. Don was a real character and always absolutely charming whenever we had a chat at various events I’d bump into him at. RIP.”
Deputy Carolyn Labey said: “A lovely man, RIP”
Julia Coutanche, Jersey Heritage’s volunteer co-ordinator, said Mr Dolbel was the organisation’s “oldest volunteer”, “who for over 20 years played his accordion, helped bake cabbage loaves and spoke Jèrriais at Hamptonne Country Life Museum, where he would generate good cheer and encourage reminiscence of Jersey of yesteryear”.
She added: “With residents of Maison La Corderie, where he was living, Don visited La Faîs’sie d’Cidre, our Cider Festival, at Hamptonne last October and, although frail, he played a tune on his accordion – to the delight of everyone in the Cider Barn.
“Don loved Jersey – he was proud of the Island and worked hard to promote its culture and heritage and the traditional Jèrriais language. With his greeting, ‘Bouônjour. Coumme est qu’ tu’es?’, he was a true Jersey gentleman, a pleasure to spend time with, a unique character who will be warmly treasured, sadly missed, and remembered fondly by everyone at Jersey Heritage.”
Mr Dolbel was also a long-term member of the Parklife Choir run by the Christian charity Grace Trust.
Speaking about his reason for joining the choir, he previously told the JEP: “It’s somewhere to spend an afternoon – I suppose that’s why I like it. I’ve been alone [since 2001] when my wife, Doreen, passed away, so I don’t have a home anymore. It’s an empty house, a shell.”
Gerry Padden and Vini Jones from the choir added: “Losing Don is really tough. He has been a part of the Parklife Choir since its very early days. We will never be able to sing To Make You Feel My Love again without thinking of him.
“In a way, he was younger than any of us. I will always see him rolling up to singing in his little Benelli motorbike only a few years ago – he was an amazing guy. Rest in peace, Don, we will miss you, Sir. Thank you for inspiring us.”
