Michael Mulligan

Michael A. Mulligan was an honest and straightforward individual a man of strong conviction with a very direct manner. Mike was also a mischievous imp [he called himself a pest], even in adulthood. He was a husband, father and grandfather and a very devoted family man. Some of the best times of his life were those he spent with his family.

In 1948 the country was in a state of transition. It was three years after the end of World War II. The country was in the midst of the "baby boom". Returning servicemen were marrying, starting their families, building homes and boosting the depressed economy. Giles and Margaret (Sullivan) Mulligan of Wayne, Michigan, contributed to the "baby boom" and celebrated the birth of their fourth child, Michael, on January 30, 1948. Michael had two brothers and a sister that preceded him into this world. He had plenty of playmates as a child and a favorite pastime was building forts and playing cowboys and indians.

Michael’s claim to fame as a child was his designation as the "King of Nankin Township". His godparents, local grocery store owners, put jars out with pictures of the neighborhood children pasted on them. The patrons would then drop a penny in the jar of their choice. Naturally, with the strong encouragement of his godparents, Michael’s jar filled up quickly with pennies and he won the title.

At a young age, Michael learned that work was not an option, it was a necessity. In the year of his birth, the average annual salary for a working man was $1,299. Minimum wage was 43 cents per hour and a postage stamp would cost you a mere 3 cents. Starting at about 10 years of age, he worked for a local farmer picking melons and tomatoes. He would not only pick his share, but he would also eat his share. He loved tomatoes and kept a salt shaker in his back pocket to enhance the flavor of the field ripened, freshly picked [and eaten] tomatoes and melons.

As Michael progressed through school, he earned the reputation as the class clown. He was a fun-loving guy and loved to crack jokes. He was notorious for his sense of humor, was a "smart aleck" and was known to never turn down a "dare". He liked to make "deals", but was quick to walk away if he didn’t like the bargain he was offered.

The sixties were the age of youth, as 70 million children from the post-war baby boom became teenager and young adults. The movement away from the conservative fifties continued and real change in the cultural fabric of American life was taking place. No longer content to be images of the generation ahead of them, young people wanted change. Michael was a typical teenager in the 1960's. He was a "greaser" with a pompadour, waterfall and a "DA". He wore white tee shirts with rolled up sleeves holding his cigarettes, tight jeans and shiny, pointy toed shoes. This was the typical dress for a hip dude in the 60's, mimicking James Dean .

Michael was a member of the first class to graduate from John Glenn Memorial High School in Wayne, Michigan. He was active in the Civil Air Patrol and traveled around the United States with a Civil Air Patrol Drill Team. He was very proud of his participation with this group.

In 1960, Elvis Presley returned to the music scene from the U.S. Army, joining other vocalists at the top of the charts; Bobby Darin, Neil Sedaka, Jerry Lee Lewis, Paul Anka, Del Shannon and Frankie Avalon. The Beach Boys began recording music that appealed to the teenagers and The Beatles, from England, burst into popularity with innovative rock music that appealed to all ages. Michael was a big fan of Rock n’Roll. Janis Joplin and The Beatles were some of his favorites.

Around the time of Michael’s graduation from high school, the musical phenomena of the decade was Woodstock, a three day music festival that drew 400,000 hippies and featured peace, love and happiness. In the midst of all this peace, love and happiness, Michael was drafted into the military. He was sent to serve in Vietnam with two of his high school friends, Finnegan and Sullivan. After basic training, Mike became a tank mechanic and began serving his time in Vietnam. In August 1968, Mike was called home for the death of his father Giles, but had to return to Vietnam to finish his tour of duty.

Upon returning from Vietnam, Michael's thoughts turned to a family. He married his childhood sweetheart, Martha Grace Burgan in 1969. They were blessed with 2 fine sons, Keith and Kevin. Michael was extremely devoted to his family. To provide for them, he worked as a vending machine mechanic, and in the evenings and on weekends, he coached his son’s soccer teams. These memories were particularly precious for Michael.

In 1986, he married a lovely lady named Lisa and through their marriage gained two teenaged daughters, Allison and Stephanie. Without a doubt, Mike’s most challenging position was to successfully raise four teenagers in a blended family.

As a reward for successfully launching their four kids off into adulthood, Mike and Lisa bought a vacation home in Aruba. Vacationing in Aruba was another one of Michael’s favorite fun times, a much anticipated vacation every year. In November 2004, Mike received the “Distinguished Visitor of Aruba” award, celebrating the many years they have vacationed there with friends and family – and also perhaps for the beautiful, distinctive jewelry he always purchased for his wife while on vacation.

Michael also enjoyed sweets. He was attacked by vending machine “honeybuns” many a time. In fact, he never met a pastry, Carmello or Reese’s Peanut Butter cup he didn’t like.

Michael Mulligan was a man who had overcome an addiction and celebrated 20 years of sobriety in the summer of 2004. He was a man with a great desire to better himself and change his destiny, at which he was successful. He was a big success as a husband, father and grandfather. His seven grandchildren, ages 1 to 5, were the "apples of his eye". He will live on in their hearts and in the hearts of all who knew him.

Michael Mulligan died unexpectedly on Tuesday April 26, 2005. Mr. Mulligan is survived by his wife of 18 ½ years, Lisa; four children, Keith (Rose) Mulligan, Kevin (Jenny) Mulligan, Allison (David) Daube, and Stephanie Wendelken, along with seven grandchildren; Maggie, Natalie, Matthew, Andie, Andrew, Daniel and Aidan. One sister, Mickey Pennybacker; and one brother, Ted Tolbert also survive. He was preceded in death by one brother, Giles Mulligan.

The family will receive friends at the Nie Family Funeral Home, 2400 Carpenter Rd. on Thursday, April 28, from 5 – 8 p.m. Visitation will continue of Friday, April 29, from 2- 4 p.m. and 6-8 pm. The funeral service will be held on Saturday, April 30, at the funeral home at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow at Parkview Memorial Cemetery.

Please visit Michael’s personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can share a memory, order flowers online, sign the guest book or make a memorial contribution.