Cornelius Patrick Mundy Jr. of Spruce Head died peacefully Dec. 6, 2024. He was 85.
One of his greatest joys was teaching the inmates in the Maine State Prison from 2007 to 2020.
He is survived by his wife, Anna B. McCoy; four children, Michael Mundy, C. Patrick Mundy III, Molly Mundy Jardiniano and Mac Weymouth; and four grandchildren, Caitlin, Tara, Jessica and Reese; as well as his sister, Molly Mundy Hathaway of Baltimore.
His friend and neighbor, Andrew Stancioff, had this to say: “My friend Patrick Mundy: I met Patrick when we moved here in 2007. We got along immediately. Patrick introduced me to the Camden Conference and the Forum group. We shared an interest in foreign affairs and history. Patrick was completely taken in by American history. We would exchange the latest point of view that he had gleaned from the books he was reading.
“When Patrick spoke about some aspect of our history or culture, he would express his thoughts simply and with didactic ease. At some point he had gotten a master’s in history, and wanted to teach what he believed was the truth and importance of American history. While holding down a job in New York, Patrick went to law school for three years but was dissuaded from pursuing the law by his father, a Judge in Baltimore, Md. (Patrick often mentioned that unfortunately he had not been focused during his undergraduate years at Yale, so he was making up for time and knowledge lost).
“Many friends, including his wife suggested he teach; and so he taught at the Maine State Prison with a grant from the Learning by Giving Foundation. Pat was highly successful and ended up having a marked effect on many of the prisoners. He thoroughly enjoyed his role and was fond of telling stories of the progress his students were making. Later Pat became a mentor to some of his old students.
“A small group of us would have lunch nearly every Friday. In the summer we would go to McLoons and discuss and comment on what Congress, the President or the Supreme Court were doing to improve or destroy our way of life. Patrick always expressed his displeasure if some unjust decision or appointment was made. This was particularly the case during the Trump presidency.
“Patrick’s father, the judge, had imbued Patrick with a sense of fairness and decency, so for Patrick justice really meant something. Knowing Pat and being his friend has meant much for me!”
We will all miss him terribly!