Joseph William Muldoon, Sr.

Joseph William Muldoon, Sr passed away peacefully on Friday evening November 24, 2023.  Joe was the 2nd oldest of the five sons of Anna (Nelson) and John Dougherty in Philadelphia, Pa.  As a youth, Joe was an outstanding athlete, and a star running back and quarterback for his West Catholic High School football team.  His family’s economic situation required that Joe take a different path than his anticipated enrollment and playing for what was, at the time, a nationally prominent University of Pennsylvania football team. Joe left school and hometown, and joined the US Army on the cusp of the Korean War.

As Joe explained to his sons and others, he found out that he could make $50 more per month if he “went” airborne. “I knew I could live on that $50 and send everything else home.”

After completion of basic training, airborne qualification and the Ranger training pipeline, Joe joined the 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team, the "RAKASSANS".  Seargent Muldoon was a squad leader for the RAKASSANS and led his squad on both combat air assaults during the Korean War.  Later during the war, Joe was then assigned as part of General Westmorland’s personal security staff.

Upon completing his Army duties, Joe returned home to marry his sweetheart, Joan Lawler, and began his lifelong career as a union glazier.  He and Joan raised a family of 2 boys and a daughter. Making the family home in Folcroft, Joe was part of a group of dads in the early 60s who formed the Folcroft Boys Club. The club survived for 60 years and facilitated the participation thousands of boys in organized athletic competitions. He is a member of the club’s Hall of Fame. Joe also served the Folcroft and Tinicum communities for 8 years as a Magistrate/Justice of the Peace. After 29 years of a lovely marriage and family life, cancer ended Joan’s life way to early.

Joe was subsequently blessed with a second opportunity at love when he reconnected with and then married a childhood friend, Mary (Radwell).  Mary, her 2 daughters Christina Radwell and Maureen Postlewaite, gifted Joe with exactly what he needed – a chance for a second successful life. Joe and Mary also enjoyed 29 years of marriage, before Mary succumbed to health challenges.

In addition to his parents and wives, Joe is pre-deceased by his only daughter Joanie and 3 of his brothers: James (Jimmer) Muldoon, William (Bill) Muldoon, and John Dougherty. He is survived by his two sons, Joe (Sharon) and John (Susan), his two stepdaughters Maureen Postlewaite and Christina Radwell, and his brother Robert Dougherty. Joe is also survived by nine grandchildren and nine great grandchildren and truly beloved nephews and nieces.

A 10:30 AM Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at St. George Church in Glenolden, PA on Saturday, 12/2/2023. Family and friends will be received at the Church before Mass beginning at 9:30 AM. Interment to follow Mass immediately at Saints Peter and Paul Cemetery in Springfield.