Joseph (Joe) William Mullen, Jr died on August 9, 2021 at the age of 86. He was at home, surrounded by his family, as he hoped. Joe always had a plan, and his passing went according to his plan.
Joe was born in 1935 in Bronx, New York to Florence (Cleary) and Joseph Mullen. He was raised there with his sister Florence by two loving and devoted parents. He had a special relationship with his sister’s children, Diane, Jack, and Kevin. They were very important to him.
Joe attended high school at Iona Prep, received his undergraduate degree from the College of Holy Cross (there wasn’t a prouder Crusader!) and a law degree from Georgetown University. Joe’s upbringing fostered a deep and abiding faith in the Lord. It was a way of life for him.
After four years of dating (three years too long for Joe) he married the love of his life, Roselind (Rollie) McGinnis. Rollie’s parents and her five siblings and their children (the McGinnis and Stein families) quickly became family to Joe.
Joe and Rollie lived in Cos Cob, CT, raising their three children, Rollie, Patty and Joe until they moved to Moraga, CA in 1979. Joe has lived there ever since.
Joe was the quintessential company man. He retired from UnitedHealthcare (originally MetLife) after 36 years. He also served as Chair of the Young Lawyers Association (1971) and with the Nixon Administration on drug abuse prevention. He was a loyal employee who loved his work, especially when collaborating with customers and colleagues. He considered them family.
Friends meant A LOT to Joe. They brought him immense joy. His relationships were lasting and enduring, near and far, from every part of his life. He was a happy guy, fun to be around (unless you were late or the waiter was slow). He liked good conversations. Some of Joe’s favorite times were at the dinner table sharing and caring over good food and wine.
Above all else, Joe was a family man. He loved being a husband, and a father, and eventually a Papa. His wife Rollie of 33 years died before him. He is survived by his three children, and their spouses, and his grandchildren: Rollie and Mark Killeen and their children Chris and Allison; Patty and Erich Studer and their daughter Ella; and Joe and Wonny Mullen and their children Milan and Jack. These were the loved ones at the top of his list every day.
Joe will be remembered most for his positive and encouraging nature, his warm embrace, his laugh, his wisdom, and most especially the way in which he loved freely, abundantly, and unconditionally. He will be missed immensely.
A memorial service to celebrate Joe will be held at St. Perpetua Church in Lafayette, CA on Friday, August 27 at 10:00 am. In lieu of flowers and in honor of Joe’s memory, contributions can be made to STAND! For Families Free of Violence – a cause very near and dear to his heart. https://www.standffov.org/
Nicely written. Praying for his family.