Michael J. Noonan

HYANNIS:

Michael J. Noonan, 97

The world is a sadder place because Michael J. Noonan left this life on February 11, 2015 after a brief illness.

He was born on August 2, 1917 in Cambridge, Massachusetts to Ellen (Carroll) and Michael Noonan, both Irish immigrants. Michael was the youngest of 7 children all now deceased.

Mike was a compassionate and caring son, husband, father, and grandfather. He was a devout Catholic, a diehard Red Sox fan and Boston College football rooter.

Michael attended St. Mary’s School and Cambridge Rindge and Latin High School. He was a very musical person, possessing a beautiful singing voice and playing both the saxophone and clarinet. At Boston College he played in the band and spent his summers traveling with a dance band to Cuba and Europe to earn money. He graduated from Boston College in 1940 and shortly after he was drafted into the U.S. Army and went on to become a Captain and tank Commander of the 771 Tank Battalion. Serving in Europe, he distinguished himself by earning the Silver Star. After the war, he received his Master’s degree in Social Work from Boston University.

He married the love of his life, the beautiful Ruth (Curtis) Noonan, in 1944 and they spent 62 wonderful years together until her passing in 2007.

Michael spent most of his career working as head of Social Service for the Veterans Administration in North Carolina, New York, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania before retiring to Cape Cod in 1974. His initial retirement was brief as he worked for Elder Services of Cape Cod until 1987. He was a member of St. Francis Xavier Church and was active in the St. Vincent De Paul Society and the Knights of Columbus.

He loved to golf and played as often as he could on Cape Cod and Florida. Mike possessed a terrific sense of humor and would often open a conversation with friends and strangers by asking questions such as, “are you behaving yourself ?” or “have any holes in one lately?” His first words to his family or friends at the start of every day were “Good morning, it's a beautiful day" a habit learned as a young man growing up in Cambridge in the 1920's.

Mike touched the lives of everyone he met by effortlessly putting a smile on their faces. His ever present positive attitude will be remembered by his children and grandchildren as a hallmark to the amazing man that they love and will miss very much.

He leaves behind four daughters: Ruth (Frank) Meoli of Las Vegas, Nevada, Lydia (Richard Cathie) Noonan of Fort Myers, Florida, Margaret (Timothy) Wuskell of Centerville, and Kathleen (Robert) Studley of Eastham. Survivors also include six beloved grandchildren who shared many cherished moments with him.

Calling hours will be held Thursday, February 19 from 4-7 PM at Doane Beal and Ames Funeral Home, 160 West Main St., Hyannis. A funeral Mass will be held on Friday, February 20, 10:30 AM at St. Francis Xavier Church, 347 South St., Hyannis, followed by burial at St. Francis Xavier Cemetery in Centerville.

Memorial donations can be given to the Mercy Home for Boys and Girls, 1140 West Jackson Blvd., Chicago, IL 60607.

The family would like to thank Dr. John F. Berry and his staff of Centerville for their care of Michael for more than thirty-five years and for each of them treating him as though he was a member of their own family.