Donald W. Mullaney was born on May 6, 1935 to Martin Mullaney and Frances (Waas) Mullaney in the Bronx, New York.  He grew up in Flushing, Queens and attended St. Kevin's grammar school and Bayside High School.  He loved playing baseball and spending summers with his grandparents in Greenport, Long Island.

Don was a proud NYC Firefighter and also started and managed his own exterminating business called North Shore Pest Control.  After retiring from the FDNY and selling his business, he relocated to Boynton Beach, Florida, where he thoroughly enjoyed the escape from cold weather.  As a true "snowbird", Don flocked to the refreshing NC mountains and spent the past 30 summers as a Beech Mountain resident.

Don's life is characterized by the fervor with which he embraced it and the passion with which he shared it.  Whatever interest he pursued, he was "all in":  world traveler, award-winning bird photographer, thorough genealogist (researching his Irish heritage), conversant Spanish speaker, eclectic chef (firehouse onions; yuca frita), strong tennis player, and certified Pickleball instructor.  His pet dogs were always at the center of his life and were certainly considered family members.  He would not let his life be defined by the cancer diagnoses and over the past year his life journey remained unchanged.   However, his resilience is best characterized by being a lifelong, avid New York Mets and New York Jets fan!

Don is survived by his daughter, June Mader and her husband Charlie of Durham, NC; his son, Kevin Mullaney and his wife Denise of Bedford, NH.  He is also survived by his beloved grandchildren Gregory Mader (Emily), Carolyn Mader, Jonathan Mullaney, Julia Mullaney, and Elizabeth Mullaney, as well as his great-grandson Carter Mader.  "Papa" established the cherished Thanksgiving family tradition of celebrating each year at different fun destination that spanned over 25 years.  Also close to his heart were the children of his late wife, Joselyn, Maikel Vila and Nicole Dumit Vila, and five step-grandsons.  All will miss Papa's great sense of humor!

The family asks that only immediate family members attend the graveside service, as the cemetery has put in restrictions on the amount of people able to attend.

Valuing Don's great birding experience in the NC mountains as well as his loyal support of the mission to conserve and restore the habitats of birds, charitable donations can be made in his name (please include his name in note or check memo) to:

Audubon North Carolina

807 E. Main St.

Suite 2-220

Durham, NC  27701