Joseph Edmund Mooney

Joseph Edmund Mooney, age 85 a longtime resident of Saint Clair Shores, Michigan died Saturday, April 24, 2010 at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born September 04, 1924 in Detroit, Michigan the son of the late John Henry Mooney and the late Margaret Jenny (nee: O'Meara) Mooney. Mr. Mooney was the beloved husband of Magi (nee: Richard). He is the dearest father of Patty Kay Mooney (Mark Schulze), Joseph, Jeanne (Andrew) Barrett, Thomas, Marge Mooney (Freddie Cunningham), and Rita Mooney (Glen Merritt). He was brother of Mary Tremayne, and also survived by 11 grandchildren; Lindsay Ferlin, Brian (Michelle)Mooney, Michael Mooney, Rachel Mooney, Aiyana Mooney, Erin Merritt, Max Merritt, Charlie Barrett, Jack Barrett, Emily Cunningham, and Matthew Cunningham. 6 great-grandchildren; Cody Mooney, Peyton Mooney, Kaela Cunningham, Devon Washington, Maddie Cunningham, and Theo Cunningham. Further survivors include his Goddaughter, Shawna (Devine) Frohriep and his two Favorites Jan Taylor and Dawn Singleton. There were many who considered Mr. Mooney as Dad or Grandpa including Sam Singleton and Alexander Rivard. Good Bye to our Loving Father By: Patty Kay Queen Elizabeth said Grief is the price we pay for love. The thing is we could all see Dad marching towards death for the last ten years as he suffered with dementia. So we have long known that the day of his ultimate departure was nigh. And yet, when that moment arrives and you finally know that you will never again be able to look into his eyes that twinkle when he sees you, and you will never again hear him say things like Youre leaving already?! But you just got here! its an earth-shattering moment. Its not only the journey of our Big Chief; its the journey of our entire family. Our father, Joseph Edmund Mooney, was a handsome man, a charming man. A loving man, he was a faithful husband to Magi Richard for 56 years, and father to Patricia Kathryn, Joseph Patrick, Jeanne Marie (Barrett), Thomas John, Margaret Ann and Rita Anne. He was a seminary and law student while studying in college, however World War II called him into service. He was stationed with the United States Army Air Corps in Molokai, Hawaii. After his military service Joseph became a corporate salesman for Chrysler for 29 years, and then when Chrysler gave him an offer he couldnt refuse he returned to college and in 1980 passed the bar and realized his lifetime desire to become an attorney. He worked for the remainder of his career as assistant to an Attorney General Frank J. Kelley in Detroit. Dad was a man about town, faithful Catholic, dapper in a hat, enthralled with golf, a meat and potatoes kind of guy. Dad was an adoring family man who was, for the last years of his life, stationed in his corner in the family room, waiting for us all to come home. He was there for me at the beginning of my life, making sure I didnt fall off the horse on the carousel. And Im happy I could be there to hold his hand as he made his passage apart from us, his beloved family. I distanced myself from him and my family by moving west and making a life there, following Dads sage advice, Whatever makes you happy. It is a healthy and successful bird that flies away from the nest. I joked that I hadnt had Dads undivided attention for 52 years since when I was two. So during the last week, it was my greatest joy to have him press my hand with his hand as I sat beside his deathbed watching him sleep. I cherish the precious memories of him awakening to see me and smile. And the moment when I asked why he looked so sad. What are you thinking right now, Dad? I asked. About you, he managed weakly. What about, Dad? You are a beautiful girl, he said. That was one of his last lucid moments. It amazed me that after suffering the ravages of dementia for ten years, Dad had such moments of crystal clarity. All along, he was able to recognize the voices of each of his four daughters over the phone, and thats not easy for anyone. For two weeks, friends and relatives stopped by to pay their respects, thankfully while Joe was still around to appreciate it. He had orchestrated the greatest Irish wake ever. Please raise a glass to honor the memory of Joseph Edmund Mooney. Visitation for Mr. Mooney will be Monday from 3-9 pm with a 7pm Eulogy Service at the D.S. Temrowski & Sons Funeral Home, 30009 Hoover Rd. at Common (12 Mile). Mr. Mooney will lie in state Tuesday 9:30 am at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, until the time of the Funeral Mass at 10 am. Memorial donations appreciated to: St. Patricks Senior Center, 58 Parsons Street/ Detroit, MI 48201 (please join the family on Sunday at the center for the festival). Please share memories of Mr. Mooney at his guest book.