SOUTHPORT — David William Mullaney, 76, of Southport, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on February 26, 2024, at the Lower Cape Fear LifeCare SECU Hospice House of Brunswick.
David was born in Springfield, Illinois, to Evelyn Irene (Todd) and Charles Mullaney. He is survived by his wife, Janis and brother, Charles “Chuck” Mullaney and his wife, Terry.
David grew up in Hyattsville, MD, a suburb of Washington DC. As a child, he was curious and adventuresome, traits that he displayed his whole life, along with his creative spirit, which manifested in his ability to draw, write poetry, and love songs for his wife. In high school, David loved high diving and gymnastics. He was an excellent ice skater, water skier and snow skier. In a word, he leaned towards sports that required precision and balance. David’s grandfather taught him to fish, and so began his lifelong love of the sport. His parents had a cabin cruiser on the Chesapeake Bay where he learned to master boatmanship and enjoyed his fishing and crabbing.
In 1966, during the Vietnam era, David joined the Navy and served on an aircraft carrier for four years. He married the love of his life and soulmate, Janis (Lynch) Mullaney in 1969. Not only did David gain a loving, beautiful wife, but he also gained a large family and soon became more like a brother than a brother-in-law. As the family expanded, all the nieces and nephews loved and adored their cool, Uncle David, who made a huge impact on their young lives. David was a loving, caring husband who supported Janis’ education and career choices throughout their 54 years of marriage. They lived in California, Maryland, and North Carolina. He was an entrepreneur with two retail stores, Pet Mart, in Rockville and Olney, Maryland, and a patented business, Hat Flags.
After retirement, in 2004, David and Janis moved to St. James Plantation where David enjoyed the opportunity of a lifetime to fish every day, either at the ponds for bass and catfish or taking his boat out in the waterway and ocean for an assortment of fish, especially his favorites, trout and flounder. He belonged to the St. James Fishing Club for almost 20 years and often won honors as the Fisherman of the Year. For many years, David was known in the neighborhood as the “Fisherman.” He generously shared his knowledge of the water and fishing with young children at the Annual St. James Fishing Derby. He was an avid pool player and enjoyed perfecting the game.
Perhaps the greatest of David’s accomplishments was his upbeat personality. Every day was a treat for David and those who were with him. A simple “hello” became an occasion for laughter. We will miss his quick wit and humor, which never left him.
Funeral services will be held at Peacock – Newnam & White Funeral Home, 1411 N. Howe Street, Southport, NC. 28461 on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at 3 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Lower Cape Fear LifeCare (hospice). David’s family wishes to extend their sincere thanks for all the doctors and health care professionals that supported David in his last years.
Online condolences may be made here.
