GUILFORD – W. “Mike” Mulhair, 74, well-known area farmer and livestock dealer, passed away early Friday morning, Sept. 11, 2009, at his home in Guilford, following a short illness.
Born in Goshen in February of 1935, Mike was the son of Eugene and Clara Edwards Mulhair. He grew up in the Goshen area and was a 1954 graduate of Goshen Central High School. He immediately took up dairy farming, which would be his main livelihood, and also enjoyed growing corn and vegetables which he sold at his roadside stand. On Nov. 3, 1957, in Orange County, Mike married Elaine Andryshak. Mike and Elaine moved north with their family on July 2, 1971, settling into their present farm in Guilford and establishing their dairy. Mike also began a new venture, Mulhair and Rowe Auction Service, and expanded the dairy to include the sale of cattle under the banner Mike Mulhair Livestock. A familiar face at all the area auctions, he would truck livestock for people who purchased at the auctions. At home, Mike liked to tell everyone how to do things and watch westerns on the television. He especially enjoyed watching John Wayne, and loved eating sweet corn as often as he could.
Mike is survived by his wife, Elaine Mulhair of Guilford; his children and their spouses: Mike and Kathleen Mulhair of Mt. Upton, Stephen Mulhair of Guilford, Patrick and Maureen Mulhair of Mt. Upton, Bonnie Marie and Michael MaGee of Colorado, Andrea and Russ Harris of Washington State, and Audrey Mulhair of Colorado; and his sisters: Mary Johnson of New Paltz, Jean Kamrowski of Warwick, and Myrilda Lisack of Goshen. Also surviving are his grandchildren: Jessica Jayne and husband Levi, Molly MaGee, Samantha and Stephanie Mulhair, Zachary Harris, and Jessica Zito; and his great grandchildren, Levi Jr. and Matthew Jayne. Mike was predeceased by his sister, Margaret Latimer, and half brothers Nick and Ira Mabee, and by his infant grandson, Michael MaGee, Jr.
Funeral services for Mike will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday from the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home. The Rev. Joseph Acanfora, Pastoral Care Coordinator for Hospice of Chenango County, will officiate. Friends are invited to call at the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home on Tuesday from 11 a.m. until the service at 1 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, Mike’s family has requested that memorial contributions be directed to Hospice and Palliative Care of Chenango County, 21 Hayes St., Norwich, NY 13815.