[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 114 (Wednesday, September 5, 2001)]
[House]
[Pages H5377-H5378]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING THE MEMORY OF F. DANIEL MOLONEY, SR., A GREAT PUBLIC HERO

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from New York (Mr. Grucci) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. GRUCCI. Mr. Speaker, I rise with a heavy heart to honor the 
memory of a great public hero and a great public official, private 
businessman and community leader, and a dear friend from my hometown of 
Brookhaven, Long Island. F. Daniel Moloney passed away Sunday, August 
26, 2001, at the age of 63 after a long battle with cancer.
  Dan Moloney was known for his dedication and service to the community 
where he served with dignity and integrity as the Town of Brookhaven's 
receiver of taxes for the past 22 years, as a commissioner for 20 years 
of the Ronkonkoma Fire Department, and as the founder of Moloney 
Funeral Homes, the largest independent funeral homes on Long Island.
  Francis Daniel Moloney was born in Bay Shore on December 22, 1937, to 
James J. Moloney of Limerick, Ireland, and Mary Lowe Moloney of Central 
Islip. After graduating from Villanova University, he did graduate work 
at C.W. Post College and attended the American Academy-McAllister 
Institute. He earned his nursing home administrator's license and was a 
New York State licensed funeral director.
  With only $24 in the bank and working as a substitute teacher in the 
Brentwood and Centereach school districts and a midnight shift at the 
Central Islip state hospital in order to support his family, in 1962, 
Dan Moloney founded the Moloney Funeral Homes in Lake Ronkonkoma. That 
business grew into the largest independent funeral home on Long Island 
with five different branches across the island.
  Through all of his business growth and successful battles in fighting 
off larger corporations that bought out so many local funeral homes, 
Dan was always proud that he remained a small family business. Today, 
the fourth generation of his family continues to work in the business 
he founded.
  Dan always had the passion to serve his community. In addition to 
volunteering for his local fire department, Dan was a member of the 
Knights of Columbus, the Loyal Order of the Moose, the Smithtown Elks, 
the Ronkonkoma Chamber of Commerce, the Ronkonkoma Historical Society, 
and the Order of Sons of Italy Guy Lombardo Lodge.

                              {time}  2015

  He also served on the Board of Directors of the St. Charles Hospital 
in Port Jefferson, and was a past President of the National Association 
of Approved Morticians.
  Dan's activism and commitment to his community led him into public 
service. He was elected as the receiver of taxes for the town of 
Brookhaven in 1979, where he provided strong leadership in local 
government for 22 years.
  Dan Moloney also had a love for adventure and the great outdoors. In 
addition to being an avid skier, boater, and golfer, he was proud that 
at the age of 50 he rode a bicycle the 480 miles from San Francisco to 
Los Angeles. Dan also hiked the 14,000-foot mountain ranges of 
Colorado, including Pike's Peak and Mount Quandry. He also loved 
participating in cattle drives.

[[Page H5378]]

  Dan Moloney was one of those rare individuals that took seriously his 
role as a member of the community, instead of viewing himself as an 
individual. He took pleasure and pride in helping and serving others, 
and he enjoyed life to the fullest. Not just the citizens and taxpayers 
of the town of Brookhaven, but all of us who call Long Island our home, 
will sorely miss F. Daniel Moloney.
  Mr. Speaker, I offer my condolences and that of the First 
Congressional District to his mother, Mary; long-time companion and 
friend, Cheryl Tully; his children: F. Daniel, Junior; Virginia 
Wagenknecht, Michael S., Kathleen Anderson, Peter G., Thomas E., 
Christine Lentz, and Melissa Moloney; his brothers, Jack and the late 
James; his daughters-in-law: Denice, Jacqueline, Abbie, and Christine; 
his sons-in-law: James Lentz and John Anderson; and his 17 
grandchildren.
  Goodnight, my friend. Sleep well. The world will be a sore place 
without you.

                          ____________________