By Ellyn Okvist, B.Sc.
“There is no higher reward than the trust of the people you serve.” – F. Daniel Moloney, Founder (1937-2001)
Dan’s quote became his legacy; every person was treated as family. It was hard to write this column, as everyone remembers him differently which is a personal recollection that will have him stand out for eternity.
Moloney Family Funeral Homes has been owned and operated by the Moloney family since it was founded in 1933 by James P. Moloney. In 1961, his son, F. Daniel, Sr., opened another location in Lake Ronkonkoma. Since then, the business has grown to 7 locations. Their mission, since the beginning, has been built on these core values: trust, honor, and commitment. Today, Dan Jr., along with his daughter Danielle, nephew Nicholas, and a caring staff, are committed to continuing this legacy.
The Ronkonkoma Fire Department (RFD) was recently presented a framed photo of the department’s original building groundbreaking by Dan Moloney, Jr. and the RFD surprised him with Dan Seniors original firefighting helmet from the 1970s. Dan Sr. was an active RFD Commissioner and had foresight to make purchase and additions to the Department that added to the safety of the community.
Dan Moloney was contemporary with my father, my uncles, and others. But he always respected me as a friend, we held a certain relationship even with the age difference. He listened, he respected, and many times offered solutions. My first adult situation was when the town lost our friend Gary Keating in an accident. School mates, past and present, friends, and family gathered at the Funeral Home to leave our respects. Needless to say, it was a difficult time, with many not being able to hold it together. I clearly remember Dan offering his shoulder and experience and lastly offering the comfort and kind words we all needed. At that time, he was in the role of a loving father, looking over all of us and helping us through the situation.
St. Mary’s Episcopal Church reintroduced their Young Peoples Fellowship (YPF) and started out like many other groups – with nothing. Father Ed Wisbauer approved of the children earning rather than being given. After earning points from good deeds and church attendance, many of the members were ready for the LL Bean jackets which we had bargained down the costs with the company. We fell short, and Dan had heard about it. He attended one of our meetings and presented the group with a sizeable check, which he wished to put towards the jackets. Explaining what he did for a living, many of the children were confused. However, he was their friend and didn’t need an explanation. When it was refreshment time, the snack committee prepared the table. It consisted of cold water and a small bag of cookies, which they shared.
Oddly enough, our next meeting held a surprise as I approached the church door to unlock the entrance. We found 2 or 3 brown King Kullen bags, which contained “top brand” cookies (Oreos) and 4 containers of “good” cold juice. It was not hard for us to find the Good Samaritan – his business was across the street from the King Kullen! This extreme act of humanitarianism was what Dan Moloney was made of. Being a father of eight, he made sure the YPF children had a decent snack, and his generosity went on for a few months until we got on our feet.
Another kind story was about our Car Washes, which we held at the Ronkonkoma Fire Department. Children from age 3 participated, and the receipts from the day were always astronomical. Dan, an RFD Commissioner, would drive in, and get in line for a very active bunch of children ready to wash cars. He would give his donation to the smallest child he saw, which was always Alyssa Okvist (age 3). She would run to the leader table, and turn it over to her grandmother, Fran Okvist, telling her the tall man gave her a dollar for his car wash.
Let’s get this straight, it was always a $100 bill!
Recently, at Dan’s 25th Memorial, I was in full memory mode as I sat and listened to the speaker. None of it surprised me, rather gave me the remembrance of a great man and friend. Louis J. Marcoccia (R-East Setauket) made a statement that he has been the Brookhaven Town Receiver of Taxes for years now, but he still can hear and feel Dan’s presence with his staff and office. Dan’s picture is still hanging in the office; it can be seen from every angle. I did go there to check on the story we were told, and sure enough, he was dead center on the wall with lovely sunshine surrounding it.
Once again, our memories may be varied and yet they are so clear. We all have a Dan story, and it is argumentative as to whose story tops whose, but the deep caring and love for his community was obvious. We have all benefited from our time with Dan Moloney, and his family prior and, to date, with the youngest, four-day old Romilly Anna Hassett.
For those of you who did not have the pleasure of knowing Dan Moloney personally, I will send you to visit his Historic Landmark. The simple pleasure of seeing his Memorial Rock, the beautiful plantings continued and maintained by his family, and the glorious American Flag that flies at the base of Ronkonkoma Lake will fill you with joy. The Moloney Family also maintains the NYS Historical Landmark Marker just to the left, representing the Newton Family. The historic home that has been meticulously maintained by the Moloney family, now used as the Moloney Family Funeral Home of Lake Ronkonkoma, will be proclaimed as a NYS Historic Landmark in spring 2027.
