Oct.26, 2003 - Grand Opening of the Mulvihill Preserve Trail.
Dolores Zebrowski, Legislator Jay Schneiderman (& son), Councilman Steve Kenny, Assemblyman Fred Thiele, Bill Mulvihill, STPS Pres. Dai Dayton
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William P. Mulvihill, a native son of Sag Harbor passed away on September 17, 2004 at the age of 81 following a brief battle with pancreatic cancer. Mr. Mulvihill was a teacher of history and creative writing for over 30 years as well as a published novelist. He made his home in Glen Cove.
Mr. Mulvihill was the son of Anna and Daniel Mulvihill and the brother of Dolores M. Zebrowski. He and his sister established the Anna and Daniel Mulvihill Preserve in memory of their parents. The Preserve is a prized parcel consisting of 75 acres in Noyac. It was acquired by the Town of Southampton on March 26, 2003 and dedicated as a preserve on June 15, 2003. Both Mr. Mulvihill and his sister were present at the dedication.
The Mulvihill property is rich in flora and fauna. There are two sizeable spring fed ponds, stands of oak, beech and white pines and scores of rare and native birds.
William Mulvihill was an admitted curmudgeon and "anti-growth fanatic", who wanted to see any land remain as undeveloped as possible. "I don't like to see farm land or forest land destroyed," Mr.. Mulvihill said. "I'm in anguish every time I see a new house being built.” Mr.. Mulvihill hoped that the Mulvihill Preserve would be a stepping stone to saving the local environment before it gets destroyed like the area around his home. "People come out to the East End for its bucolic aspects and pristine water," Mr.. Mulvihill said. "If we continue to overdevelop it's going to wind up like Nassau County and there's no point being active down there because it's all gone.”
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The Mulvihill Preserve stands as a testament to William Mulvihill’s passion for the environment. Environmentalists can look to this piece of land with confidence knowing that it will be there for generations to admire and experience.
William Mulvihill is survived by his wife of 58 years, the former Mary Marceau, two daughters, Nancy Mulvihill and MaryAnn Mulvihill-Decker, sister Dolores Zebrowski of Sag Harbor and sons-in-law Charles Tongren and Daniel Mulvihill-Decker, as well as numerous nieces and nephews and his Chocolate Labrador Retriever “Lady”.
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