TAPS: CAPT (Ret) Michael Honan Passes Away at Age 79

OFFICIAL OBITUARY: https://www.denissoconnor.com/obituaries/Michael-P-Honan?obId=46845965

Michael P. Honan, a longtime Rockaway Park resident, devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, friend and neighbor, died peacefully and suddenly at his home on January 3, 2026. He was 79.

Mike, the only son of Michael and Anne Honan, was born in Brooklyn on June 30, 1946 and grew up in Springfield Gardens, Cambria Heights, Hollis, Jackson Heights and Floral Park alongside his older sister, Barbara. He attended St. Gerard Majella and Sacred Heart grammar school, Archbishop Molloy High School, and St. John’s University, where he received a BA in history and education.

He joined in the United States Navy in a direct commission as an officer from 1968 and 1970, and was stationed in Charleston, S.C. He returned to Queens and received an MBA in management from St. John’s while also working for the city’s Department of Welfare and joining the Naval Reserves, where he rose to the rank of captain before retiring in 1996.

Mike was a federal probation and parole officer based out of the Eastern District of New York in Brooklyn, where he worked from 1975 until 2003, retiring as a supervisor.

He married the love of his life, Fran Chiodo, on October 23, 1982, and they had two beautiful daughters, Roseanne and Katie. He was also the loving father-in-law of Francisco and devoted grandfather to Riordan Francisco.

He is survived by his immediate family, along with his sister Barbara Nealon, brother-in-law Richard Nealon, niece Jen (Jeremy,) and nephews Matt (Gretchen,) Chris (Kirsten) and Greg.

Mike settled in Rockaway Park in 1979, where he was an active member of the community. He and his friends and neighbors created the Friends of Memorial Circle, where they helped restore and maintain a city park built to honor the neighborhood’s World War II veterans. He also volunteered to drive the Sisters of St. Joseph to their various appointments around New York City.

He joined The American Legion in 1997 and became involved with the burial of indigent veterans, attending approximately 75 funerals of other service members who had been buried on Hart Island, the city’s Potter’s Field.

Mike loved walking his two dogs, Stella and Hemingway, who were waiting for him in Heaven when he arrived. He loved the beach and riding his bike on the boardwalk, loved to fish, loved hosting family and friends and sharing stories. He loved chatting with strangers all over the city and all over the world. A proud son of Irish immigrants, he loved listening to Irish music every Sunday on WFUV and on Celtic Crush on Sirius, and he was looking forward to visiting Ireland in October.

Mike was highly respected as a skilled leader and dedicated Naval officer, and valued by all who knew him as a friend and a truly good man. He will be missed by so many people.