Michael “Mike” Joseph Mooney, 53, died tragically in a Duluth, Minn., bus crash while attempting to save the lives of others on April 14, 2015.
Mike was born Nov. 17, 1961, in Harvard, Ill., to Walter W. and Margaret M. Mooney. He graduated from Harvard High School and immediately joined the U.S. Marines, serving for 10 years and retiring as a sergeant. After his honorable discharge from the Marine Corps, Mike moved to Duluth in the early 1990s, holding a variety of positions until he found his work “home” at the Black Woods Group, working at Black Woods, Black Water Lounge and the Greysolon Ballroom. He was their “go-to man.”
Mike enjoyed his Irish heritage, cooking, reading, physics, animals, his Marine Corps family, his Black Woods family, but most of all his family especially his daughter, Mackenzie; whom he loved fiercely. Mike loved the Chicago Bears, Chicago Cubs, the Chicago Blackhawks and Notre Dame football. He attended St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church in Duluth, Minn.
He was preceded in death by his father, Walter, in 2011.
Mike is survived by his daughter, Mackenzie J. Shelton; his mother, Margaret M. Mooney; sisters, Helen Mooney, Linda (John) Allington, Jean (Todd) Iversen and Maureen Talarico; nieces and nephews, Ryan, Joe and Marissa Stafford, Jacob and Grant Allington, Jake Iversen, Erin (Louis) Arellano and Isaak Talarico; and great niece, Esme Arellano.
Mike’s family wishes to thank the Duluth Police Department, Duluth Fire Department, Gold Cross Ambulance Service, and the Minnesota State Patrol for their responders’ efforts at the scene of the accident.
The family also expresses their deepest gratitude to dear friend and Mike’s brother-in-law, Michael J. Talarico, for his strength, compassion and guidance during this most difficult time.
Burial with military honors is planned at Cobblestone Cemetery in Walworth.
Donations in Mike’s name can be made to the Duluth Police Department, Duluth Fire Department or Animal Allies Humane Society.
