Michael Thomas McElduff

Michael Thomas McElduff

Beacon - Michael Thomas McElduff, a lifelong Beacon resident, passed away at James J. Peters Veterans Administration Medical Center in Bronx, NY on July 8, 2013. He was 88.

Born in Beacon on August 26, 1924, Mike was the son of Mary Bree and Michael Hugh McElduff. On September 25, 1945 he married the first love of his life Peggy Coughlin who predeceased him in 1979. On January 29, 1983 Mike married the second love of his life Ann Fleming Coughlin, who predeceased him in 2012.

Mike grew up in Beacon surrounded by love and family. He was the oldest of eight siblings. He is survived by Mary Browne and husband Jim, Jerry and wife Anita, Ann Schultz and husband Bill, John and wife Sue, and Kate Huber. He was predeceased by his brother Pat and wife Ursula, his brother Danny and brother-in-law Gene Huber. He was also predeceased by his many Coughlin brother and sister in laws, and will deeply missed by his sister in law Mary "Aunt Mimi" Farley.

Mike and his wife Peggy, the youngest of ten Coughlin siblings, continued the tradition of large families. He was lovingly referred to as Poppy by his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and many of their friends. The love that he spread so freely will be missed by his children Michael McElduff and fiancé, Terry Wallace, Charlotte, NC; Tim McElduff and partner, Mary Ellen Gertin, Webster, NY; Mary and Willie Vassalo, Fishkill; Lynn McElduff, Beacon; Jane McElduff, Hopewell Junction; Maggie and Marty McCann, Hopewell Junction; Sheila and Joe Bertolozzi, Beacon; Kathleen Lyons, Fishkill, Tricia and Steve Rothberg, Beacon; Sean and Lori McElduff, Wappingers Falls; Bridget and Gus Antalek, Beacon; Mary Ann Zinney, Marlboro; and Barbara Coughlin, Poughkeepsie. He was predeceased by his son Kevin McElduff.

Poppy also played a huge role in the lives of his grandchildren: Christopher, Mike & Laura, Sean & Rachel, Tim & Patricia, Brendan, Adam & Heather, Matt & Anna, Meghan and Terrence & Megan McElduff, Peggy and Kurt Mansperger, Kate & Adam Martiyan, Geoffrey, Kevin, Martin and Claire McCann, Sarah Bertolozzi, Cullen and Taylor Lyons, Calli, Billie, Casey, Brett and Jack Rothberg, Kelsey and MaryMargaret McElduff, Adele and Abby Antalek, Joseph & Jayme Flynn and Kelly & Keith Bialko. He is also survived by his great grandchildren, Mackenzie, Zachary, Serina, Annika, Gillian, Kaelin, Kieran, Madeline, Teddy, Liam, Fiona, Kaitlyn, Sean and Will McElduff, Ela Lyons, Crosby Martiyan, Alex, Riley and Jack Flynn, Summer Rose and Keith Bialko.

Mike's life also touched all of the many additional family members past and present, many dear friends, nieces, nephews, god children, and his most recent special friend and companion, Peg Ireland.

Mike graduated from Beacon High School and was an active member of St. John the Evangelist Church. He grew up working at his family's grocery store on Main Street in Beacon. He proudly served as an Aviation Radioman in the U.S. Navy Air Force from 1943-1946. With his wife Peggy he owned and ran an Arnold Bread Wholesale Business and Thrift Store in Beacon, NY. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Kiwanis Club. After he retired, he and his wife Anna spent many winters in their RV touring the US and then enjoying RV parks in Mesa, Arizona and Sylvan Lake. He was a proud father and grandfather and his love for family and friends, along with his passion for storytelling, endeared him to all those who knew him or just met him.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, July 12, 2013 at 1 PM at St. John the Evangelist Church, 31 Willow Street, Beacon. Interment with military honoros will follow at St. Joachim Cemetery, 301 Washington Avenue, Beacon. Then all are welcome to the celebration of Mike's life at St. Rocco's Society, 26 South Chestnut St., Beacon, NY at 3PM.

A special thanks goes out to all the wonderful medical personell and staff at the Castle Point and Bronx VA facilities.

Mike was so proud of his children and grandchildren's efforts to keep their mother's memory alive by raising awareness and funds for the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. Donations in his memory can be made to their Team "Peggy's Spirit" by visiting www.avonwalk.org or by sending a check made out to "Avon Walk" to Adele Antalek at 10 Sunny Fields Way, Beacon, NY 12508.

To send the family a personal condolence please visit www.halveyfh.com.

Funeral arrangements are under the supervision of Peter T. and Patrick J. Halvey.