Obituary of Francis Desmond Moneypenny

February 12, 2024

Francis Desmond Moneypenny (“Desmond”) died on February 12, 2024, in New York, New York.  Desmond passed peacefully, surrounded by family.  He was 89, but as he liked to say, in his 90th year.

Born on December 26, 1934, in Belfast, Northern Ireland to Francis and Agnes Moneypenny, he was the oldest of six siblings.  A longtime resident of New York City, Desmond immigrated to the United States in 1956.  He enjoyed a varied career, working first in banking at Chemical Bank.  Desmond returned to school, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in psychology from Fordham University at Lincoln Center.  He worked in the recovery field for 16 years at Roosevelt Hospital.  Afterward, he worked for the Museum of Arts and Design until finally retiring at age 84.

Desmond was the “Patriarch” of the family, dear to his siblings, cousins, many nieces and nephews, and friends.  Desmond was an enthusiastic “foodie” who also enjoyed taking family to Broadway shows.  He was the repository of information about the family and loved visiting with family at the holidays, family reunions, and special family occasions.  Desmond achieved and maintained his sobriety since June 26, 1964, and helped countless “pigeons” and others on their paths toward recovery in both the U.S.A. and in Ireland.  Everyone loved Desmond; he will be so greatly missed.  His family prays he is happily reunited in the hereafter with his loved ones, including his Jack Russel terrier, Sammy.

Desmond was predeceased by his beloved parents, his sister Joan, his brother John, his brother-in-law Don Krier, and his niece, Patricia.  Desmond is survived by his brothers, Brendan, Lawrence, and Martin, his sisters-in-law, Bernie, Mari, Agnes, and Catriona, his many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, great, great nieces and nephews, and his loyal friend, Juan Guadalupe.

A memorial mass will be offered at Sacred Heart of Jesus, 457 W. 51st St, New York, New York on Saturday, April 6, 2024 at 11 a.m.  Thereafter, Desmond will be buried at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Latlurcan, Monaghan, Ireland.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project at www.woundedwarriorproject.org.

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