July 15th, 1943 – April 5th, 2025
Michael McDonagh
With profound sadness and unwavering faith, we announce the passing to heaven of Michael Joseph McDonagh, 39-year New Canaan Resident, on Saturday April 5th, 2025, with his wife of 56 years, Jeanne, by his side.
His legacy will live on through his loving family; his wife Jeanne, his son; Sean Michael McDonagh (Laura) of Pittsford, NY, his three daughters; Michelle McDonagh Baxter (David) of Princeton, NJ, Christine McDonagh Conroy of Pelham, NY, and Katie McDonagh Small (Jonathan) of New Canaan, CT, and his nine adoring grandchildren, who he lovingly referred to as the littlest pickles; William, Brook, May, Bernadette ”Bea”, Ava, Michael, Jack, Blake, and Duke.
Michael was born on July 15th, 1943, in the Riverdale section of the Bronx to proud parents Anne and Michael J McDonagh from county Mayo, Ireland. Michael was their fourth child of five and their first son, and grew up alongside his three older sisters, Mary, Anne, and Bernadette, and his younger brother, William “Billy”. As a young man, Michael worked in his father’s Irish pub on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, learning the value of hard work, honing his people skills and discovering his love of community.
He graduated from Cardinal Farley Military Academy in 1962. He studied to become an Irish Christian brother but ultimately earned his degree in Marketing from Manhattan College in 1968, while also serving in the United States Marine Corps from 1964-1970.
He went on to work in television broadcasting production and advertising sales with a career spanning 50 years. He could talk for hours about his adventures and the many people he met along his career path, but the story he cherished most was how he met his wife, Jeanne. Michael was working as a TV producer for the NY Mets and Jeanne worked the VIP elevator at Shea Stadium. After creating reasons to ride in Jeanne’s elevator more than necessary, Michael went home and told his father he had met the woman he was going to marry. After some persistence, Jeanne finally agreed to a first date, which included a trip to the top of the Empire State Building where Michael declared his intent to marry her. And marry they did, on August 17th, 1968.
Within the first few years of their marriage, their joint faith was tested with the sudden loss of both of their fathers, Michael’s brother, Billy, in the line of duty, and Michael’s sister, Bernadette, to cancer. Despite these hardships, Michael’s faith was strengthened and gave him extraordinary courage that shaped his life and his family. He would seek out lighting candles at church for everyone he loved any chance he had.
Michael was committed to serving his New Canaan church community across a variety of organizations. He was a Grand Knight and Faithful Navigator with the Knights of Columbus, a Pastoral Council member and Eucharistic Minister for St. Aloysius Catholic Church, and a chairman for the Holy Family Passionists Retreat center for 50 years. He volunteered on Emmaus youth retreats and at the Convent House food pantry. He participated in a weekly men’s Bible study, New Canaan Men’s Group, and upon retirement he faithfully attended daily 7AM mass at St. A’s followed by coffee and breakfast at Tony’s Deli.
Of all his accomplishments across his 81 years, he is most proud of his roles as husband, father, grandfather, uncle, brother and friend.
People may forget what you said, but they’ll never forget how you made them feel. All who knew Michael will remember how he made them feel, his sense of humor, his love of telling stories, his commitment to his church, his steadfast faith, his courage in the face of tragic loss, his pride for his Irish heritage, and his willingness to help his family, friends, or even a stranger in need. Living each day through the motto of “put the other fellow first.”
Michael will rest in peace knowing his legacy of Faith, courage and commitment will endure.
Visitation will take place on Thursday, April 10th from 4-8pm at Hoyt Funeral Home, 199 Main Street, New Canaan, CT.
A Funeral Mass will be held to honor and celebrate Michael’s life on Friday, April 11th,10am at St. Aloysius Catholic Church, 21 Cherry Street, New Canaan, CT.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Michael’s memory to the New Canaan EMS at: https://www.newcanaanems.org/donate
For online condolences please visit www.hoytfuneralhome.com.