Obituary of Maurice J. Nelligan

Maurice J. “Mike” Nelligan, age 89, of Union Township, NJ, passed away on Monday, July 31, 2023, at home, surrounded by his loving family. Born September 9, 1933, in Baltimore, MD, he was the son of the late Maurice John Nelligan and the late Florence (née Maxwell) Nelligan.

Mike was a 1951 graduate of Loyola Blakefield High School.  He attended Johns Hopkins University earning his Bachelor's degree. He then furthered his education at the University of Maryland School of Law where he earned his Juris Doctor degree in 1958. Mike served his country, enlisting in the US Army from 1959 until 1967. 

During his distinguished law career, Mike served as an attorney with the National Labor Relations Board where he was an Executive Director and Special Counsel of the Public Employment Relations Commission. He was a Partner at Apruzzese, McDermott, Mastro, and Murphy PC located in Warren, NJ, and has worked at the Firm for the past 50 years.  Mike was repeatedly recognized for his legal accomplishments in “New Jersey Monthly Top Lawyers”, “New Jersey Super Lawyers”, “New York Area Best Lawyers” and included in Martindale-Hubbell Register of Preeminent Lawyers. Mike was a member of the New Jersey Bar Association and the American Bar Association. In addition, he was a contributing editor to the “Developing Labor Law” publication.

Mike married the love of his life, Katherine “Rose” Nelligan (nee Prevost), on September 22, 1962. Together they raised three children: Joseph, Elizabeth, and Margaret.  

Mike enjoyed spending time outdoors with many days spent at the beach and traveling throughout the U.S. with Rose. Most of all, he loved spending time with his family and making memories, especially with his eleven grandchildren.

Mike will be forever missed by his loving wife, Katherine Rosalie Nelligan; daughters, Elizabeth Hayward, Margaret Calloway and her husband Bob; son, Joseph Nelligan and his wife Ali; grandchildren, Kate, Thomas, Jonathan, Erin, Jessica, Lindsay, Samantha, Ryan, Aidan, Liam, and Tyler; siblings, Mary Clare Walsh and John J. Nelligan.

Mike is predeceased by his parents, John Nelligan and Florence (née Maxwell) Nelligan.

Family and friends are invited to visit with the family on Tuesday, August 8, 2023, from 3:00 pm until 7:00 pm at the Martin Funeral Home, located at 1761 Rt. 31, Clinton, NJ 08809.  A Mass of Catholic Burial will be offered on Wednesday, August 9, 2023, at 10:00 am at The Church of Saint Ann, located at 32 Main Street, Hampton, NJ 08827. Interment will follow at Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Annandale, NJ.