Michael Williams, 81, of Linden, NJ entered into eternal rest on Tuesday, October 11, 2022 surrounded by his loving family.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the visitation in the Leonard-Lee Funeral Home 301 E. Blancke Street, Linden on Sunday, October 16, 2022 from 1 to 5 pm. A Funeral Service will be held in the funeral home at 4:30 pm. Cremation is private.

Michael was born in Cahermurphy, Flagmount, County Clare, Ireland to the late Patrick and Annie (Fitzpatrick) Williams. There was a strong sense of community and all neighbors knew each other.  Up until his last days, he was talking about the homeplace and asking how his old neighbors were doing.

Mike left school early as a young teenager in order to work, and first found employment in the forestry service in County Clare for years.  Later he moved to Dublin, Ireland and worked in construction, before immigrating to America.  He immigated out here to his late Uncle Jack Fitzpatrick in 1964. In Elizabeth, he made lifelong friends with many in the Irish community attending dances and functions. He met Juliana Cooney, herself a fellow Irish immigrant and they started 'seeing each other'. They married in 1972 and settled in Linden, NJ where they raised their family together. He was a welder with Local 1456/1556, Dockbuilders Union for 30 years. Many times he was a shop steward on a site making sure their rights as union employees were respected by contracting companies. He was a strong believer in the union and would never cross a picket line. After retirement he then took up a new job as a security guard at the Union County courthouse.

He was a member of Ancient Order of Hibernians (Elizabeth) and the Morley-McGovern Assoc. (Roselle Park). He was supporter of all things Irish in  gaelic sports (especially the Clare hurling team!) and Irish music (especially the East Clare style).  He championed the cause of Irish freedom, supporting the work of Cumann na Saoirse in America and Sinn Fein Poblachtach in Ireland. After retiring he faithfully attended the annual Wolfe Tone commemoration every year. He was equally a proud American and was grateful for the opportunities this country provided. He had a keen interest in nature keeping the birds well fed in winter or just watching shows about wildlife. His favorite of all though were old western films.

After both he and Julie retired, they started to split the year between New Jersey and Gort, County Galway. They both loved being able to see family, neighbors and the friends they had made there. While they always looked forward to going, they also always looked forward to the return stateside.

He was predeceased by his wife, Julie, his parents Paddy and Annie and his sisters Theresa and Philomina. He is survived by his children, sons Patrick and Micheal-Joseph and daughter Siobhan Marie. His brother Vincent, his Cooney inlaws, many nieces & nephews and many friends.

Solas Mhic Dé ar a n-anam