On July 20. 1950, Michael “The Good” Gannon was born, a 5th generation Douglastonian. The second of four, he attended St. Anastasia’s, Bayside H.S. and later was a proud graduate in Political Science from Fordham University.
Mike was employed through most of his career as a Locomotive Engineer. He worked for various railroads for 40 years. He worked for Conrail, drove on the Highline, and then went to Amtrak, finishing his last years driving the Acela from NY to Washington, DC. He spent his breaks at the Library of Congress or the National Archives doing research on the history of Douglaston/ Little Neck. He was a proud legislative representative for the BLE, Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and a Teamster.
To avoid the crowds, as a Senator, Joe Biden was known to ride in the cab with Mike on his commutes to Wilmington.
Mike was a quiet man who preferred to stay out of the limelight but his community work is visible everywhere.
He was a member of too many community boards to count and he enjoyed them all.
His knowledge of his family genealogy is legendary. He was on track to finish his application to the Mayflower Society when he died.
He married another lifelong Douglastonian in 1996, Lisa Mueller. They had known each other since childhood. They shared 27 years of laughter together.
Mike’s goal was to live longer than his grandmother and father, who died in their 90’s. Sadly, it was not to be. He died at age 73 on October 21, 2023 after 13 years of various illness which originally began with a diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia. He was an amazing fighter and always and optimist.
He is survived by a wonderful family and friends who adored him.
Anyone who would like to donate in Mike’s memory can donate to the DMEA (Douglas Manor Environmental Society). 234-21B 41st Ave.
Douglaston, NY 11363. https://thedmea.org/
To send flowers to the family or place a tree in memory of Michael Gannon, please visit our Tribute Store.