Joseph Patrick Muldoon

Joseph Patrick Muldoon (Joe) was born on January 8, 1959 and died in Raleigh, North Carolina on May 21, 2018. A memorial service will be held for Joe on Saturday, June 9, 2018 at nine o'clock in the morning at the Church of the Good Shepherd, 214 Main Street, Nashua, New Hampshire. Joe is survived by his father, Joseph Patrick Muldoon Sr.; his brothers, Matthew and Scott; and his children, Shane, Sean, Megan, and Shaelyn. Joe’s daughter, Kyla, died in 2012 and his brother, Michael, in 2014. Kyla is at rest in Section 2 West and Michael in Section 9 West at Woodlawn Cemetery, 101 Kinsley Street, Nashua, New Hampshire. Joe is also survived by his partner, Kendra Ritlinger, of Raleigh, North Carolina. Joe worked on worldwide enterprise software engineering, virtualization, and emulation at Stromasys, Inc. The bonds of friendship and support with John Prot, the CEO of Stromasys, as well as with other coworkers, is something Joe deeply appreciated – Joe would say “It is an honor and a privilege to work here”. Joe and his team were very successful in their work. In earlier years, Joe led Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) Large System teams when DEC was a leading global IT solution provider. As a teenager, Joe learned electronics, calculus, and how to write and think in machine language at Pomfret School and later at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) at the dawn of the information technology age. As systems and software evolved, Joe understood underlying architectures and could craft solutions inaccessible to those without his experience and amazing ingenuity. Unresponsive systems could be revived, perhaps induced to function along new never-before-contemplated pathways. To an observer without Joe’s capabilities, this looked like magic. Joe supported everything from essential hospital imaging networks to indispensable government systems. In providing critical support, he worked without rest day and night until problematic systems were running smoothly again. That was great for clients, but hard on personal life. Joe had the Muldoon trait of regularly being the outlier person with complete understanding of a problem leading to a practical solution. He also inherited the Morrison clan intelligence and keen insight from his mother Marilyn who passed in 2005. Perhaps greater patience and consistent tact could have made these gifts more endearing. At times Joe could be very direct, challenging, controlling, nonconforming, and perceived as abrasive by some - but when he wanted to, Joe could turn on the highest levels of courtesy, respect, discipline, focus, and professionalism. Joe had some incredible social skills where he could through his manner, words, humor, and vibe almost instantly transform a group of strangers into what now appeared his lifelong friends. At times Joe could seem a braggart, but behind his use of superlatives - strongest - smartest - best - were kernels of reality validated by some of the most capable people in the world. Joe could be the big tough guy, but behind this he had a big heart. He liked helping the little guy and giving everyone a chance to participate in things. He loved to share, and he had a strong value of family even though his own family disintegrated in many aspects. Joe and Carol Muldoon divorced in 2003 which was very difficult for Joe’s children, and many firestorms erupted. Despite this, Joe valued family for his entire lifetime. He talked about his family’s accomplishments with immense pride, and he would say that the love he felt for and received from his children back when they were young was the greatest thing ever. Joe could also be quite the independent thinker with some unconventional ways of handling family affairs. Joe once decided that it was time for a family reunion, and everyone had a wonderful time. But Joe had decided in advance that it would only last for one day – he had redefined the old saying that fish and guests go bad in 3 days. Joe was exactly the person you wanted at your side when facing a major challenge. He prided himself on self-reliant skills like the ability to weld diverse types of metal, to cut most any gear or machine part, and to exhibit expertise in scuba, spearfishing, hunting, cooking, and martial arts. Joe’s superb physical senses, coordination, reflexes, dexterity, and confidence made him amazingly capable of incredible feats. The way that Joe could drive an automobile or motorcycle was nearly unbelievable. Joe could actually be quite conservative, cautious, and careful about new things – but often he would eventually explore the new realm to extreme depths. Joe jumped into the ocean off a sailboat near Martha’s Vineyard, wearing only a mask, with a homemade spear in his hand fashioned from surgical tubing and a simple fiberglass pole which he sharpened by holding it out a car window at the correct angle against the passing concrete pavement. Joe disappeared under the water for quite a long time and then finally popped up with lots of big fish which later that night fed a huge group of friends living with him on the island for the summer. Joe’s role model was his Uncle, Wayne Morrison, the toughest guy anyone could imagine, yet full of fun loving humor. Wayne was a Vietnam hero of almost superhuman proportion, who passed in 2014. Joe’s bravery, individual training, and service to others often clashed with the evolving sensitivities and mediocrity of modern society. Joe is dearly missed by his family, coworkers, and those who valued a solid friend – like Mike Piscopo an unwavering friend of more than 30 years through thick and thin -- such true loyalty few will ever know. Please share your memories of Joe with his extended family, friends, and superb coworkers.

Joseph Patrick Muldoon

January 8, 1959 - May 21, 2018