Retired Navy Commander Michael Joseph Marnane passed away on 18 May in Palm Coast, FL after a long illness. He was 83 years old.

Born in Gardner, MA, he was the eldest son of Dr. Joseph and Evelyn (Kennedy) Marnane. A graduate of the College of the Holy Cross, Michael was commissioned as an Ensign in the United States Navy at the height of the Vietnam war. After training as a Naval Flight Officer, he reported to duty as a Radar Intercept Officer (RIO) in the F-4 Phantom. During multiple deployments aboard USS Constellation he flew 221 combat missions over SE Asia. He was in the first cadre of aircrew to transition to the F-14 Tomcat and was the first RIO to log 2000 hours in that aircraft, deploying in USS Enterprise and USS Kitty Hawk. A Topgun graduate, he was selected to participate in a 2 year long joint force test to evaluate infrared and radar missile technology and develop new tactics against a numerically superior air threat. His last flying billet was as the Commanding Officer of Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 33 in Key West, FL. His next orders were to the USS Ranger as the Air Boss, in charge of not only the numerous sailors of the Air Department, but also responsible for the airspace around the carrier.

While at his last duty station at the Operational Test and Evaluation Command in Norfolk, VA, he completed a Master of Education degree from Old Dominion University. Following retirement, he taught English at a variety of institutions ranging from middle school to college level as he moved with his wife Janet, who was still on active duty in the Navy.

Michael was a lover of the theater, the opera, and poetry. Even as his health deteriorated he could still recite much of “Gunga Din” from memory. His music collection was extensive, filled with everything from steel drum and Limelighters albums to Mozart and Irish music. His bookshelves were filled with history, Irish literature, and Shakespeare, but also works by PG Wodehouse, Jean Shepherd and “The Simpsons Philosophy.” He was an avid runner, enjoyed skiing, sailing, scuba diving and the beach. His favorite holiday was St. Patrick’s Day. He was the master of telling Irish jokes in an authentic accent and was thrilled to visit Ireland twice, his ancestral homeland.

He was predeceased by his parents; sisters Catharine Price and Mary Ellen Fohy and brother Peter Marnane. He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Janet Axtell Marnane, sister Eileen Jansson, children Bridget (Evan) Katz, Joseph Marnane and Sean Marnane, and grandchildren Kira and Zachary Katz.

Internment will be held on 15 August in Stamford, NY. Donations in his memory can be made to MOAA Halifax Chapter, PO Box 2093, Daytona Beach, FL 32115-2093.