Fr. Joseph H. Mulhern

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Clark University Providence College

Joseph Mulhern Obituary

Father Joseph H. Mulhern, O.P., a priest in the Order of the Dominicans, and a much decorated retired Colonel in the U.S. Air Force, died on Sunday, Sept. 14 after a brief illness in New Jersey, where he lived in an assisted living community. He was 86 years old.

Born in Worcester on October 11, 1921, Fr. Mulhern was a son of Dr. Joseph P. Mulhern, an orthopedic surgeon and Winifred J. Kelley Mulhern. He was the second of eight children.

Fr. Mulhern attended St. John's Preparatory School in Danvers, and spent a post-graduation year at Worcester Academy before attending Providence College in Rhode Island.

While in high school, he developed a strong interest in flying and spent many hours on weekends at Grafton Airport. It was there that he took flying lessons and earned his civilian pilot's flying license. This is the same airport where Dr. Goddard, then a professor at Clark University in Worcester, began to experiment on rockets.

Before he entered the Dominican Order in 1947 and was ordained in 1954, Fr. Mulhern was a bomber pilot with the 8th Air Force division out of England during World War II, piloting a B24 Liberator. He earned five Air Medals. He flew 35 missions before the war ended and returned to Providence College to complete the degree he had started years earlier.

After his ordination, Fr. Mulhern served in Tenn., saying Mass at four churches and serving as chaplain at a nearby VA hospital. He also served 1,000 retired soldiers living at the local base.

In 1960, Fr. Mulhern returned to active military duty. He served as a chaplain in France, Germany, Vietnam, Korea, and Fort Hood, Texas.

His Sunday Mass "runs" in Vietnam included traveling three hours by helicopter to celebrate six Masses in one dangerous location after another. After brief assignments at parishes in Rhode Island, he again returned to the service, this time as a civilian priest, serving at bases in Germany and Charleston, S.C., where he served for over 17 years.

"I've had an exciting life. It's been marvelous," said Fr. Mulhern, who recalled praying with soldiers when they were, "on the brink of eternity."

Fr. Mulhern is survived by his sisters Marion C. Renz, Patricia M. Brown, and J. Honor Tracy. He is predeceased by a brother, Thomas F. Mulhern, and three sisters, Catherine M. Bianchi, Rosemary J. Deedy and Winifred J. Reney. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews. The funeral Mass was celebrated in New Jersey. Fr. Mulhern was interred at Arlington National Cemetery.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Worcester Telegram & Gazette on Sep. 24, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for Joseph Mulhern

10 Entries

Teresa Wheat

September 24, 2008

Fr. Joe, was a wonderful priest and a friend. He was the best. He made you much more at ease when going to confession. It was sad to hear of his death, but I know he is in heaven as I know he has earned it. May he rest in peace

Dr. Timothy C. Hoffman

September 24, 2008

Well Done Good and Faitful Servent! Thank you for serving your country. May you Rest in Peace.

Robert Doyle

September 24, 2008

I salute you sir! A b-24 was a heck of a ship to fly. God bless you fadda. Bob Doyle USMC ret.

Tony Oglietti

September 23, 2008

I remember well the years that Fr. Joe spent at Charleston Air Force Base. I was helping out with Catholic services at the chapel the entire time he was in Charleston. He was a steady hand to the Parish Council during those early years. He was a wonderful teacher to the lectors and lay eucharist ministers; he used to call us proclaimers rather than lectors and encouraged us to do more than just read the words. Fr. Joe was one of the most positive people I ever knew. He was concerned about others and was genuinely interested in how we were doing; even when he had his own health problems he was always very upbeat. He was a special person that I have missed since he left this area. We kept in touch with Christmas cards, and he was often in my thoughts at the chapel. We are all saddened by his passing but know that we will meet again!

Steve Mislan

September 21, 2008

Whenever I think of the true meaning of the words Catholic Priest, this is the man I think of. "Well done good and faithful servant"

Tom Tracy

September 20, 2008

Hello Brian and Shell.

Wendy and I were fortunate to be around and able to head up to NJ for the services. It was a nice happy sad occassion for a man whose life was a very full life and who in his priestly and non-priestly capacity touched so many lives of people we will never even know.. A couple of friends and parishioneers (one couple and there kids drove down from NH) were there as well as family. Noel did a great job taking on so much of the logistics and with her on crutches. We brought up our 3 yr old Ava Honor and as this was her first wake she was somewhat afriad of the open casket. I explained to her that Uncle Joe was sleeping.....and today I was outside with her on her tricycle and she said to me "Daddy - come here I want to tell you something" and I bent down so she could tell me a secret and she whispered to me "Can someone wake up Uncle Joe now?" It was sweet and I expained to her that he is sleeping with all of his friends and that he was happy in heaven.

Wendy and I will drive down on Oct 17th for the burial in Arlington National Cemetery.

Hope all of you and your families are well.

Tom Tracy
[email protected]

Joel R. Larkin

September 18, 2008

Father Joe was a very important part of our family. We had him over to eat on occassion. He loved his German wine. He was interviewed by my oldest son for a paper he wrote at the University of South Carolina on the Demilitarization of South Vietnam. Father Joe was in Vietnam for every major offensive during that war. It was also very interesting hearing him speak of his wing commander during world war II the actor Jimmy Stewart. We had a wonderful lunch with Father Joe in Washington D.C. in July of 2007. I am hoping my son stationed at the Pentagon can make the service at Arlington. I know my mother, and my wife now have a very good friend with them in heaven. Father Joe enjoyed our time in the Catholic Men's Club at the Charleston AFB Chapel. He always made our time together special. You will always be close to my heart and in my prayers. God Bless

April Cheesborough

September 18, 2008

Father Joe was one of the greatest people I have ever known. My family and I had the pleasure of knowing him during his years of service to the Charleston AFB Catholic community. He was from my father's hometown of Worcester MA and knew Lake Champlain (NY)--where he almost drowned in the ice cold water there. He was an energetic person--working out at the gym regularly and running to keep in shape. Many parrish families treasured his company and he was known to enjoy a glass of wine or two! He always looked forward to his fall trips to Germany for Oktoberfest. We were honored to have him baptize our twins at the AFB Chapel 12 years ago. He always looked me up for a visit when he was here at the VA Hospital. We last saw him several years ago at St. Dominic's priory when we were visiting DC and I think he really enjoyed seeing our family from the old parrish. He will forever be in my heart as one of the best Priests I have ever known. Well done, good and faithful Servant...

Sheldon Brown

September 17, 2008

I always loved the picture of Joe in the chairlift, (Smokey Mountains?), he was a free spirited man.

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