Michael Matthew (“Mike”) Mulligan was born on February 21, 1940, and passed away on February 18, 2021, at the age of 80. Mike was born in Brooklyn, NY, where he grew up, went to school and started a family. He served his country in the U.S. Army and was a retiree of the Fire Department of New York City and the Long Island Railroad. He was a Hero, honored and awarded at Yankee Stadium by the Mayor of the City of New York for saving lives in a notoriously dangerous fire. After retirement, he became an engineer with the LIRR sharing great stories of days on the train, including transporting Ringling Bros, Barnum & Bailey Circus from Nassau Coliseum to Madison Square Garden - elephants and all! Mike had a quiet sense of humor and gentleness that people connected to. He was known to catch you off guard with perfectly placed and dryly delivered hilarious one-liners. He brought us all such joy with his amazing stories; tales that would make for an award winning movie script! He left us with countless wonderful memories and taught us invaluable life lessons that will continue to guide us throughout our lives. Mike loved nothing more than having his children, grandchildren and extended family and friends surrounding him; his truest source of happiness in life. He took great pride in his Irish Catholic heritage and passed that pride along. A recent trip to Ireland with daughter, Janine, fulfilled a lifelong dream. He loved reading and enjoyed American history, poetry and music; often reciting classics from memory and teaching folksy songs that no one else seemed to know - songs that are now passed from Mike’s children to their own! Mike loved the water in all its forms and enjoyed boating on the Hudson in his younger days. He was a fantastic cook, often reflecting on his days in the firehouse kitchen and the brotherhood he found there. He took satisfaction in putting a hearty meal together for crowds gathered in his home - all types of people on all sorts of occasions. He loved animals, especially dogs. From the strays he brought home as a young boy to each pup that came thereafter, these pets were very meaningful and considered cherished companions. He leaves behind a space that can never be filled, but he will always be deeply loved, fondly remembered and reverently honored.

Mike is survived by his three children: son, Michael C. Mulligan, and daughters Mary Mulligan Estrin and Janine Mulligan Saltzman, as well as their respective spouses, Jessica Ramsey Mulligan, Daniel Estrin and Craig Saltzman. Mike leaves behind three stepchildren Michael (Franklin) Rivera and wife Melissa Thompson Rivera, Daniel Foschino and Jessica Foschino. Mike also leaves four loving granddaughters; Ashley Mulligan, Julia Saltzman, Samantha Saltzman and Mariel Estrin, as well as many beloved cousins and dear friends. He was predeceased by his wife, Patricia Margaret Mulligan, parents, George and Margaret Mulligan and beloved Aunt Mollie Rossiter Sterritt.

Funeral services will be held under the guidance of the McLaughlin & Sons Funeral Home, 9620 Third Avenue, Brooklyn, NY on Tuesday, February 23, 2021, 8am-10am; followed by mass at 10:30am at The Roman Catholic Church of St. Patrick, 9511 Fourth Avenue, Brooklyn, NY. Michael will be laid to rest with his wife, next to his mother and father in a private ceremony at the Holy Cross Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions in Mike’s memory be sent to: FDNY Foundation at (718) 999-0779 info@fdnyfoundation.org. or American Red Cross
https://www.redcross.org/donate/donation.html/