Write a commentMichael Harold Plunkett passed away peacefully surrounded by his devoted children, at his home on the 31st anniversary of his wife, Sally Louise (Hogan) Plunkett’s death, November 16, 2025.
He was born in Oswego on February 2, 1934 to Donald Harold Plunkett and Ruth Catherine (Sattimore) Plunkett. Mike attended St. Paul’s Academy and along with friends from the East Side, participated in pickup baseball. In June 1952 he graduated 12th in his class from Oswego High School, where he excelled in academics and pitched on the baseball team.
While the Korean War was raging he signed up with the U.S. Air Force receiving enlisted basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. He scored so high on the entrance exam that the commanding officer approached him about attending flight school. In 1953 while home on leave he retrieved his new Plymouth convertible and drove cross-country to Los Angeles to report to his new duty station. He reminisced often of his assignment to Morocco, where most of the troops got sea sick on the transport there and back.
On August 16, 1954 he sustained serious injuries in an automobile accident, including fracturing his spine. He had a long recuperation period ahead of him, thus ending his military flying career.
After being released from duty in January 1956 at Sampson Air Force Base, Geneva, NY he attended Syracuse University, on the GI Bill. He transferred to SUNY Oswego and during this period worked nights as a taxi driver to support his wife and growing family, having four children by 1960. A year later he graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education. Then it was off to Rochester, NY to teach elementary school, which ended up not being his forte.
In 1962 he began his life-long service with the federal government beginning with the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Office of Inspector General in Albany, NY investigating waste, fraud and abuse. Two years later with his wife and five children he packed up a blue Plymouth station wagon and headed south for Washington, DC having excepted a position as Special Agent with the U.S. State Department, Bureau of Diplomatic Security conducting investigations, protecting people, property and information. Wanting more and loathing the commute from Bowie, Md., he applied to various other federal agencies.
In 1968 he accepted a Special Agent position with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms (BATF) part of the U.S. Treasury Department in Syracuse, NY and moved the family back to Oswego to support his aging parents.
In April 1973 he received a special achievement award for undercover work with individuals arrested for illegal sale of firearms. On numerous occasions he was designated an Expert in the Practical Pistol Course and would assist the United States Secret Service on protection details, guarding both President Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan.
In 1986 he retired from the BATF in Albany, and started a business as a Private Investigator looking into domestic matters, disability claim violators and missing persons. In 1990 he began a 20- year association with the FBI as a Special Investigator conducting classified background clearance investigations, traveling across the northeast with additional assignments in El Paso, Texas and Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Failing eyesight caused him to move onto his true calling as professional gambler, raising a pint and flirting with the ladies. It had a full life with many professional escapades similar to those found in crime novels and Hollywood films.
In 1977 he made a significant purchase, a 22 foot O’Day sloop named the “Sally Lou” named for his wife, spending endless days on the Lake sailing, swimming and hoisting a cold one or two. With five children he was involved in many activities, coached in the Leprechaun Basketball League and along with Sally was for many years Chairman of the Children’s Christmas Program at the Knights of Columbus (K of C), coordinating the collection and delivery of food and gifts to needy families. He also pitched for the K of C men’s softball team. He was avid bowler and would meet friends for an occasional game of pool. Besides the K of C he was a member of the Elks, taking frequent bus trips to casinos, the Fraternal Order of Police and American Legion. For many years, he was a member of the Captain’s Club Health and Fitness gym where he enjoyed working out and the camaraderie of fellow members.
He was predeceased by: his parents, his wives, Sally Louise (Hogan) Plunkett and Darlene (Whitney) Plunkett, his brother Donald W. Plunkett and grandson Travis Casey Comerford.
Mike is survived by his five children, Michael H. Plunkett Jr., Mary Patricia Comerford and son-in-law, Joe, Brigette Ann “Gigi” McCarey and son-in-law, Robbie, Timothy Patrick Plunkett, all of Oswego, and William Eric Plunkett of Cincinnati, Ohio, granddaughters Alyson Marie (Comerford) Moss (Michael) of Clarence Center, NY, Laurel Anna Plunkett (Noah Simon) of Fulton, NY and great grandson Bennett Travis Moss.
He is also survived by Stepdaughters Wendy (Paul) Suits and Holly Whitney of Oswego, NY and stepson Kenneth Whitney, of Washington DC.
Per Mike’s wishes, there will be no services. Burial will be at the convenience of the family.
A celebration of life will be held at 3:00 on Saturday, April 25, 2026 at GS Steamers Restaurant in Oswego.
Donations to the Oswego Public Library, 120 East Second Street, Oswego, NY 13126 are welcome.
Arrangements are in the care of the Dain-Cullinan Funeral Home, Oswego.
