GULF STREAM — Michael M. Mullin III died on April 26 at his home in Florida.
Mr. Mullin, or “Moon” as he was known to those who loved him, was born in Forest Hills, Queens, New York, in 1939. He grew up in the shadow of the Westside Tennis Club and was a ballboy at the U.S. Open Tennis Championship when it was still held at the club. Michael had a penchant for all racket sports and was well known in New York City as a junior tennis champion.
Mr. Mullin graduated from the University of Heidelberg while serving in the U.S. Air Force.
In 1967, Mr. Mullin moved to Delray Beach when he became the sales rep for the Izod Lacoste clothing company for Florida and the Caribbean. His whole world would change forever when he left the Sail Inn Tavern to see Susan Stokes Swem driving up in her purple Corvair convertible. Perky Frazer introduced them on the spot, and they were married exactly one year later across the street at St. Vincent Ferrer Catholic Church.
They would settle down on Palm Trail, where they would start their family. Starting in 1972, and over the next 51 years, the Mullins lived at Froggy Bottom in Gulf Stream.
The couple kept an open-door policy there for all tennis players to come over for a little refreshment after a hard day on the Gulf Stream Bath and Tennis Club courts.
The home was filled with backgammon by the pool, daiquiris of any flavor and the occasional reggae band on the roof. The parties were plentiful, and Mr. Mullin would be the center of attention with a great story, funny joke and a huge warm smile.
Summers belonged to Mr. Mullin’s second love, Osterville on Cape Cod — where he spent a great many summers at Aunt Tempy’s Cottage on the Wianno golf course, enjoying chipping and putting well past dark. The Wianno Club offered the tennis, golf and casual friendships that Mr. Mullin loved so much.
The ultimate salesman, Mr. Mullin took friends’ suggestions he move from selling shirts to selling homes and thus a career in real estate began. He spent 34 years selling and developing residences from Manalapan to Boca Raton. More than anything else Mr. Mullin loved to show people the many aspects of why southern Palm Beach County is the best community in Florida.
In the last months of his life, Mr. Mullin was still working for Premier Estate Properties, which supported him with unconditional love through his long battle with cancer.
The last chapters of Moon’s life were devoted to philanthropy and giving back to those less fortunate than himself. Mr. Mullin was a devoted supporter of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County since joining the board of directors in 2003. He served faithfully on the executive committee and alongside his beloved wife, Susan, made an immeasurable impact on the Delray Beach club and the wider community. Mr. Mullin’s leadership and generosity not only strengthened the organization but touched countless lives.
“Michael’s unwavering dedication and kindness will continue to inspire us every day,” said Jaene Miranda, president and CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County.
Mr. Mullin served on the board of the Bethesda Foundation from 2009 to 2017. The organization gives the caregivers of Bethesda Hospital the resources they need to provide best-in-class care. Mr. Mullin was also instrumental in the creation of the Bethesda Hospital East Benefactor Pavilion.
One of his proudest achievements was helping to save the Australian pines that adorn the Jimmy Buffett Memorial Highway in Gulf Stream. The canopy created by the trees gives the main thoroughfare of this little enclave a feeling all its own.
This was just one of a great many chapters that could be written on the random acts of kindness and little things Mr. Mullin did for the place he called home.
Nothing was more important to Mr. Mullin than his friends. By combining his love of golf and the friendships created on the course, he founded a group of men known as the “Coconuts.” The Coconuts would travel around the country — and occasionally the world — for a long weekend of competition and good cheer.
All that being said, nothing got Mr. Mullin more excited than cheering for his beloved Miami Dolphins. Having moved to Florida in their second season, he attended hundreds of games both home and away over the last 50-plus seasons.
His favorite day, which he accomplished on multiple occasions, was a mid-morning round at Indian Creek followed by a big pile of stone crabs at Joe’s in Miami Beach in preparation for Monday Night Football at the Orange Bowl or Hard Rock Stadium.
Mr. Mullin was predeceased by his parents, Michael Matthew Mullin Jr. and Maryanne McCoy Mullin, and his brother, Edward “Woody” Mullin.
In addition to his adoring wife of 58 years, Susan, Mr. Mullin is survived by his son, Michael Matthew Mullin IV, and daughter, Jennifer Warwick Mullin, sister Mary Louise Norton, sister-in-law Cindy Mullin, daughter-in-law Justine Ambrecht Mullin and grandchildren Susan Sloane Mullin, Michael “Quinn” Matthew Mullin V and Ireland Ambrecht Mullin, and his devoted labradoodle, Fritz.
The family requests that donations be made to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County (800 Northpoint Parkway, Suite 204, West Palm Beach, FL 33407).
A celebration of life will be held later this year, date and location to be announced to family and friends.
— Submitted by the family
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