Denis G. Mulholland

Denis Mulholland, 55, died unexpectedly on Saturday, August 13, 2016 in LaFayette, New York. He will be forever remembered for his enormous capacity for good humor, love, and generosity toward his family, friends, and community. He is survived by his wife, Eliza Bailey, and their two sons, Keegan Mulholland, 24, and Jamus Mulholland, 21, all of LaFayette. Born in Delhi, New York, the sixth child of the late Murial and John Mulholland, he was a devoted son and revered brother. In addition to his wife and sons, he is survived by his siblings; Ellen (David) Huggins of Clifton Park, New York, John Mulholland of Manhattan, New York, Kevin Mulholland of Oneonta, New York, Maureen Meyerhoff of LaFayette, New York, Eileen (Kenneth) Tiffany of Cary, North Carolina, Brendan Mulholland of Oakland, California and Megeen Mulholland of Albany, New York. Denis is also survived by numerous beloved nieces, nephews and in-laws. Denis graduated from Delaware Academy in Delhi, New York, in 1978, where he played baseball and football, ran cross-country and was known for his sense of humor. He then earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from SUNY at Buffalo. Denis was a talented engineer and prolific inventor, holding numerous patents and traveling worldwide for business in the manufacturing industry. His lifelong insatiable curiosity and diverse skills served him well in his hobbies, which included woodworking, auto restoration, and music. Denis could fix just about anything, and loved working in his garage or woodworking shop, wearing his trademark red plaid clothing and hats. Denis enjoyed whitewater kayaking and was a literal trailblazer, creating interconnected hiking paths throughout his many acres of property. To his nieces and nephews, Uncle Denis’s maple sugar harvesting, apple cider pressing, and tractor hayrides were legendary, as were the games he organized and participated in at family events. Denis married Eliza, his high school sweetheart, in 1987. He reveled in his family life with Eliza, Keegan and Jamus. Denis served as Troop 100 Cubmaster for many years, and was an enthusiastic youth coach for his boys’ childhood sports teams. Later, he loved cheering on Keegan and Jamus in high school lacrosse and basketball, and collegiate lacrosse. He was extremely proud of Keegan for following in his footsteps as a mechanical engineer and of Jamus for his acceptance into medical school. Denis adored his large black Labrador Retrievers, first Aiko and then, more recently, Okia, and was frequently pictured holding them in his lap. In the Irish language, the name “Denis” means “noble.” Denis exhibited this characteristic in all he said and did throughout his lifetime, which preserves our collective memory of him, yet renders our collective loss immense. Calling hours will be 4 to 7 p.m., Thursday, August 18, 2016 at Ballweg & Lunsford Funeral Home, 2584 Field Lane in LaFayette, New York. A funeral mass will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, August 19, 2016 in St. Joseph’s Church at 6104 US 20 in LaFayette. Lunch will follow at the LaFayette Community Center, 2508 US Route 11, LaFayette, New York. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to LaFayette Ambulance, P.O. Box 260, LaFayette, New York 13084.

Denis G. Mulholland

September 25, 1960 - August 13, 2016