Michael Charles Muldoon was born on December 7, 1929, to Michael Christopher Muldoon and Lillian Moynahan Muldoon in the Bronx, NY. He gently, peacefully passed away on February 8, 2025, at his home in Yorktown Heights, NY.
Michael started early on in a life of sacrifice, service, and selfless industry. He helped his family navigate the harsh climate of The Great Depression in the various boroughs of New York City by forgoing after school sports, activities, and time with his friends. He instead began working as a shoe shiner, in a zipper factory, and as a delivery boy to earn a few precious pennies. He started working at the age of eleven. Drafted into the Army soon after graduating from Gorton High School, he proudly served the country he loved, becoming a Medic and serving in Germany during the Korean War. Upon returning to the U.S., he began working as a Sheet Metal Worker (AKA Tin Knocker).
On a blind date deviously created by his brother, John Muldoon, and the bewitching Betty Benjamin (soon to be husband and wife), Michael’s eyes were opened by the comely debutante, Veronica O’Connor. Best friends Fred Benjamin and Mary Donohue were certainly not innocent in this nefarious plot. The group, joined by Jerry Bender and Dave Scobel, frolicked into the wee hours of the morning until hearing, “The kitchen is closed,” ended the night’s revelry.
Michael and Veronica (known to their friends as Mickey and Ronnie) married at Holy Name Church in Manhattan on June 9, 1956; an epic love affair that lasted for more than 68 years. On their very first anniversary, they were delighted to welcome a beautiful baby girl, Marianne Muldoon. Veronica, Michael, and Kathleen soon followed, which increased their happiness. The industrious and selfless child of the Depression developed into a dedicated, loving family man. During the holiday season, after 8 hours toiling in construction, he would take on a second job at the luxury department store, Gimbels, in order for his children to experience the joys of Christmas that were missing in his childhood.
Having lived in cosmopolitan Yonkers and exclusive Lake Ronkonkoma, Mickey and Ronnie elected to buy a house in beautiful, bucolic Yorktown Heights. From there, they had the pleasure of traveling to England, Saratoga Springs, Washington D.C., seaside New Jersey, Lake Oscawana, Mexico, Florida, Italy, Cape Cod, Long Island, and numerous Civil War Sites (a particular interest). Also, the Muldoon family, including their children and spouses, had the opportunity to embark from County Westchester to visit the quaint villages of their ancestors in Counties Galway, Cork, and Mayo in Ireland.
An avid sports enthusiast, Mickey enjoyed bowling, swimming, golfing, walking, softball, and tennis, as well as rooting passionately for the NY Yankees and NY Giants. He was an active member of the Sheet Metal Workers, Local #38 for more than 70 years, as well as a member of the Irish American Social Club of Westchester/Putnam. His faith and dedication led him to become a Eucharist Minister at St. Patrick’s Church in Yorktown Heights; serving Yorktown as well as ministering to those unable to attend services in their homes, nursing facilities, and at the Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla. A self-taught financier, he was able to accomplish something virtually unheard of on Wall Street: He made money in the stock market and had fun doing it. His investment acumen enabled him to become a generous benefactor to his family and friends and a legendary tipper. An extraordinary accomplishment from the child in hand-me-down clothes who labored for the returns of glass bottles and walked to school in second hand shoes.
Known for his easy smile, warmth, and sense of humor, popular with family, neighbors, and friends, devoted to the love of his life, Ronnie, and unabashedly proud of his four children and five grandchildren, he made the world a better place during the 95 years he inhabited it, leaving countless wonderful memories.
He is survived by his wife: Veronica Josephine Muldoon; children: Marianne Muldoon, Veronica Shankland, Michael J. Muldoon, and Kathleen Muldoon; their spouses: Charles Roberts, Melinda O’Brien, and Vincent Viaggio; grandchildren: James Shankland and his spouse Michelle Shankland, Connor Forte, Declan Forte, Kileen Forte, and Liam Roberts and many nephews, nieces and their children, all of whom he adored.
