Michael McElhatton

Born on March 14, 1938, a first generation child to Irish immigrants, Michael and Mary Agnes (Hargaden), Michael grew up in the Bronx. Playing stickball in Van Cortlandt Park, attending St. John’s, and experiencing the cultural melange of his Kingsbridge Avenue neighbors were pivotal parts of his early days.

Influenced by his teachers at Rice High School, Michael “Sean” served with the Irish Christian Brothers for 17 years, teaching at St. Bons Newfoundland, Canada and Bergen Catholic High School in Oradell, NJ. His desire for connections and a family led Michael out of the brothers; he met Jane at a dance and they married in 1976. Still, Michael continued a vocation of service, working over 50 years as an educator: a French and Spanish teacher, a trilingual guidance counselor at North Rockland High School and an English as a Second Language instructor for BOCES and Rockland Community College. Michael was even affectionately known as “professor” at some of his favorite Suffern and Mahwah eateries.

Michael’s immediate family was his greatest joy in life. Experiencing the ocean and walking the boardwalk at Spring Lake, NJ, planting impatiens in his garden at home, dancing a polka or a merengue, acting in local theater, and savoring a good slice of pizza were also Michael’s delights.

Michael made you feel important: a gentle soul with a kind heart, a great listener and caring confidant; he was simply one of a kind.

Michael is survived by his daughter Michelle and son-in-law Joshua Powers, granddaughters Ella Jane and Caia Jolie, brother Michael Corrigan and Claire, sister-in-law Barbara Cosby, as well as nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Family and friends are invited to remember Michael on Monday, March 22, from 3-5pm and 7-9pm at Wanamaker and Carlough in Suffern. A funeral celebration of his life will be at 10am on Tuesday, March 23, at the Church of the Presentation in Upper Saddle River, NJ.

Donations in Michael’s honor can be offered in support of the Rockland County immigrant community through Proyecto Faro (17 Cricketown Rd, Stony Point, NY 10980) or the work of the Irish Christian Brothers to the Edmundians (c/o Br. Jerry McCarthy 21 Prior Terrace, New Rochelle, NY 10804).