Michael Mulvahill

Michael Mulvahill, 80, of West Branch passed away Monday, November 13, 2006 at West Branch Regional Medical Center. Born in Duluth, Minnesota on November 7, 1926, he was the son of Michael and Mildred (Carlson) Mulvahill. Mike later moved to Detroit, and Mt. Clemens before retiring and moving to West Branch. Mike is survived by his four children, Maureen Petrucci and her husband Paul, Michele Petrucci and her husband Louis, Elainne Lea and her husband Geoff, and Michael Mulvahill and his wife Lucille. He leaves twelve grandchildren and five great-grandchildren: Lisa Leighton, Renee Schmidt, Cristina Niccolini, Barbarose Guastello, Catherine Guastello, Thomas Edward (Ted) Guastello, Laura Gordon, Andrew Lardy, Kathryn Lea, Carrie Mulvahill, Lauren Mulvahill, Kelly Rose Mulvahill; and great-grandchildren: Charles Shaw Niccolini, Caroline Carlson Niccolini, Nathan Peter Schmidt, Amelia Marie Schmidt, and Noe Leighton Mead. Mike is also survived by his beloved sister, Mildred Walby, and brother-in-law Leonard, brother, Donald Mulvahill, dear friend Lana Coiner, many nieces and nephews and friends. A member of the "Greatest Generation," Mike proudly served in the Merchant Marines during World War II. After the war, he returned to the Uniroyal Tire company, retiring in 1980 after 35 years as Chief Development Engineer of the Test Wheel Laboratories. Mike was honored with many Merit Awards for his designs and inventions in the development and testing of airplane tires. Mike had a great love of nature and the outdoors. He enjoyed spending time with friends, and with fellow-members of the Air Raiders R/C Airplane Club. Most of all, Mike loved his family and his dogs, Cocoa and Lulu. A Memorial Service was held on Thursday, November 16, 2006 at Steuernol & McLaren Funeral Home, 109 E. Houghton Ave., West Branch, MI 48661. Memorial Contributions may be made to the National Parkinson Foundation (1-800-327-4545, or www.parkinson.org).