Bar owner remembered as a friend to everyone
Photo 
Shawn Dooley
JANESVILLE — Dools was no stranger. If you didn’t know him, he was just a friend you hadn’t met yet.
That’s how longtime girlfriend Renee Lyke solemnly described Shawn “Dools” Dooley, 42, who died of natural causes June 3 at UW-Hospital in Madison.
“He accepted everybody for who they were,” she said quietly from a barstool at Dool’s Pub & Grub, the pub at 967 S. Jackson St. in Janesville that she co-owned with Dooley. “He made friends wherever he went,” she said, adding he lived by the phrase, ‘There are no strangers, just friends you have yet to meet.’
Dooley, a 1984 graduate of Janesville Craig High School, immersed himself in the community, doing everything he could for friends and the people around him, Lyke said.
Dools was a thankless giver, she said. If somebody needed help, he’d help, no questions asked.
“There’s nothing he wouldn’t do for you,” said Shane Weir, owner of Weirdo’s Bar and Grill, 209 W. Milwaukee St. “If you needed anything, nothing was out of the question”
Being a good neighbor wasn’t Dools’ only passion.
With an autographed photo of a bloodied Texas Rangers pitcher Nolan Ryan behind him, Shannon Dooley reminisced about his brother’s love for sports.
“He was always going to ball games,” Shannon said.
“The biggest question people are asking is, ‘Who am I going to rival with?’” Lyke added, noting Dools was an avid fan of the Dallas Cowboys and Washington Nationals.
But Dools didn’t just love national sports. He was a member of many local sports leagues, including softball, pool and dart leagues, Shannon said.
Dools also enjoyed hunting any animal he could find, from small game and waterfowl to deer, Lyke said. And you could find him on the waterways fishing, particularly deep-sea fishing the tropical waters of Costa Rica.
Lyke recalled the many trips she and Dools took to the Central American nation.
“It was great to just get away and not to worry about anything,” she said, noting that even when she and Dools were in Costa Rica, he would make so many friends that by the end of their trip they would try and convince him not to leave.
Costa Rica was only one of Dools’ favorite getaway spots. He often found himself with friends and loved ones in Las Vegas.
Weir said he and Dools visited Sin City several times, most of the time while on business.
“We just had a ton in common (being in the same business),” Weir said.
Brad Vincent, owner of Bad Brad’s, 907 Rockport Road, says he’s going to miss Dools’ company the most.
Vincent reminisced about a trip to Monroe to purchase cheese from various cheese factories. He said Dools, along with several other bar owners and community members, rented a bus for the trip.
Afterward, the group would bring cheese and summer sausage to the pub for special events, such as dinners or holidays for those who didn’t have families to celebrate with.
Weir said Dools was close to many in the community, especially fellow bar owners.
“It’s like losing a family member,” Weir said. “He is somebody that will really be missed.”
Aug 6, 2008 at 8:02 p.m.
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renee and shawn lived in the apt. across from me when i was growing up. both of them are some of the nicest people i've ever met. even though i haven't seen them in many years... my heart goes out to renee. shawn was a great human and a kindred spirit... he will be missed by many.
Jul 11, 2008 at 9:33 a.m.
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I find it interesting that the property taxes on this address are delinquent - see Rock County GIS website and search 967 S. Jackson St., property taxes were not paid ! But what is even more interesting is that if you search on Wisconsin Department of Revenue under delinquent taxpayers you will see that Dools Pub & Grub LLC owes $15,963 in delinquent sales tax ! Yup, Dools does not pay their taxes and since Shawn passed away, he has no dependents and owns no property (no he does not own the building at 967 S. Jackson, it is still owned by Marty) the state will never be able to collect this delinquent tax ! Ok Janesville keep on supporting the business that does not pay their taxes !
Jun 17, 2008 at 9:57 p.m.
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littger leave it alone it's none of your business I for one knew Shawn I know Renee give the respect a great man is gone and is deeply missed Dool's always had a nice word to say if you said hi he would say hi and vice versa
Jun 17, 2008 at 2:39 p.m.
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Dools was a great friend of the GM and Janesville community. He will be sadly missed, often discussed, and always in our hearts.
Jun 16, 2008 at 11:53 p.m.
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Sounds like he had a good life even though it was short. From how this is presented I believe this guy would agree that he had a good life, and would want the good times remembered. Not sad times.
Jun 16, 2008 at 7:19 p.m.
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What a nice article! I'm glad the Gazette saw fit to honor Dools with such a thoughtful tribute.
Jun 16, 2008 at 5:45 p.m.
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the good!....they die young. so, so sad. R.I.P. dools
Jun 16, 2008 at 3:53 p.m.
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liltiger---Many people in their 40s and 50s die from heart failure or stroke, which are considered natural causes.
Jun 16, 2008 at 3:05 p.m.
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I didnt say he was a bad guy, in fact I said he was too young to go, it is very sad. I was simply wondering why so many people are going at a such a young age. My prayers are with his family and friends.
Personally I think some of you just want the drama of thinking the worse in people you dont know but I am not that kind. Sorry if anyone was offended! jeez.
Jun 16, 2008 at 1:59 p.m.
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liltiger, it doesn't matter to anyone why or how. A good man is gone, respect others would you.
Jun 16, 2008 at 1:47 p.m.
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liltiger-if you didn't know the family or friends well enough to know the details, then it really isn't any of your business.
Jun 16, 2008 at 1:46 p.m.
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I am unaware of the cause, but I don't ask because essentially it is none of my business.
Jun 16, 2008 at 1:17 p.m.
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My thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected (?effected).
Jun 16, 2008 at 1:17 p.m.
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Most people that knew Shawn will agree, that he had "friends" everywhere. My grandfather-in-law (84 years old) met him when he was visiting us from Milwaukee. This had to be about 11-12 years ago. He would ask about Shawn almost eveytime we talked. Shawn called him "pops". My grandfather-in-law always wanted to go to Dool's bar and have a beer with his "friend" when he came to town. Shawn had an amazing gravitational personality. I truely believe it was a gift, considering his eventual short time on earth. I can say there will be many who will miss him, but not forget him!
Jun 16, 2008 at 1:09 p.m.
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So what was the cause??
Jun 16, 2008 at 10:47 a.m.
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You can die from natural causes at any age depending on what the cause was. The statement was made...meaning there were no outside forces that contributed to his death. Such as...a car accident or any other "accident". Dools was a good man...he'll be missed a great deal.
Jun 16, 2008 at 10:26 a.m.
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How do you die from natural causes at the age of 42?? That is too young to go.
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