Michael Molony Jr., Lawyer, Civic Leader Submitted by N.O.V.A. Times Picayune 05-19-2007 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ************************************************ Michael Janssens Molony Jr., A Leader In The Legal Field Who Was Prominent In Education, Health, Business And Civic Activities, Died Thursday At Touro Infirmary. He Was 86. A Lifelong Resident Of New Orleans, Mr. Molony Had A Prominent Role In The Location Of A New Mississippi River Bridge That Became The West Bank-Bound Half Of The Crescent City Connection. Gov. John Mckeithen Appointed Him To Head The Governor's Citizens Advisory Committee. In 1975, After Five Years Of Emotion-Charged Public Meetings, The Committee Recommended The Parallel Bridge Site Just Upstream From The Greater New Orleans Bridge. In 2000, Mr. Molony Said The Decision Was Made Without Political Pressure. "We Proceeded And Made A Recommendation That We Thought Was The Best Site, Best Suited For The Region," He Said At The Time. Years After The Bridge Recommendation, When He Received The Times- Picayune Loving Cup For 1986, His Patience And Warmth In The Midst Of Sometimes Volatile And Lengthy Bridge-Site Meetings Were Remembered. The Committee That Chose Him For The Loving Cup Also Described Him As A Soft-Spoken Achiever Who Had Headed Some Of The City's Most Complex Civic Organizations Without Fanfare And Helped Solve Thorny Civic Problems. "He's A Self-Effacing Individual Who Has Not Hesitated To Take On Difficult And Thankless Tasks On Behalf Of The General Good Of The Community," Ashton Phelps Jr., Publisher Of The Newspaper, Said When He Presented The Cup In 1987. Mr. Molony Was A Graduate Of Jesuit High School And Tulane University Law School. He Founded The Molony Law Firm And Was President Of The Chamber Of Commerce And The Dock Board. He Was An Active Member Of The World Trade Organization, And A Member Of The American Arbitration Association, The Tulane Law School Advisory Board, The Loyola Board Of Trustees, The Uno Business/Higher Education Council, The Louisiana Bar Association And The American Bar Association. He Was A Former Commander Of The Louisiana Military Order Of Foreign Wars. He Served In The Army Air Corps And Retired From The Military As A Captain In The Air Force Judge Advocate General Corps. He Was A Member Of The Serra Club, The Southern Yacht Club, The Pickwick Club, The Bienville Club, And Several Carnival Organization. He Was A Member Of The New Orleans Tourist And Convention Commission, And He Was Active In The Public Affairs Research Council Of Louisiana, Boys' Clubs Of Greater New Orleans, And The Metropolitan Area Committee. Survivors Include His Wife, Jane Waguespack Molony; Four Sons, Kevin Molony, Brian Molony, Ian Peter Molony, And Duncan Christopher Molony; Three Daughters, Dr. Leslie Molony Of Gainesville, Fla.; Megan E. Molony, And Sara Ellen Molony; And Five Grandsons. A Funeral Will Be Today At 3:30 P.M. At Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd. A Visitation Will Begin At 2 P.M. Burial Will Be In Lake Lawn Park Mausoleum.