Richard R. MULHOLLAND

MULHOLLAND, Richard R.

82, a prominent Tampa native, passed away Thursday, May 26, 2016, after a lengthy battle with cancer. RM as he was known, was born during the Great Depression in 1933, of a working class family in East Seminole Heights. Richard came from humble beginnings, often doing odd jobs around the neighborhood, shining shoes, or tending to the family's goats and chickens to help through hard times. Frail as a child, an asthmatic not expected to live to age 13, Richard took up the trumpet to help his breathing exercises. This blossomed into a life-long love of music which led to a music scholarship to University of Tampa, graduating in the Class of 1955. During these years, he led a dance band which paid for law school at University of Miami. In 1960, RM began his law firm, a career that spanned five decades. As a pioneer in legal advertising, he supported a large personal injury practice employing over 70 people.

When not advocating for the injured, he ran a cattle ranch on 550 acres in Brandon. Years later this land became the Lake Brandon development across from Brandon Mall. The love of the outdoors often took him backpack camping with his brothers, fishing in Alaska, scuba spear fishing in the Caribbean, and hunting in the Northwest. Not one to slow down, after the age of 40 he took up both flying and Judo, two disciplines in which he excelled. As a commercial rated pilot, he flew his twin engine plane all over North America, even across to Norway in 2003. He enjoyed flying what he called his "magic carpet" to far-flung, often remote locations, even reaching the Yukon just last year. RM was most honored to personally fly then Florida Governor Bob Graham around on his 1982 reelection campaign. In Judo, he studied diligently under Prof. Ed Maley, ultimately becoming a black belt, and earning acceptance as 1st Dan by the Kodokan Institute in Japan. Always a friend of law enforcement, he was also a Honorary Deputy of Hillsborough County. In his success he was generous with both friends and strangers. As a private person, he kept his philanthropic efforts out of view. As a public figure, he was well known as a tremendous personality that would quietly dominate a room. Intelligent, quick witted, and modest, he developed lasting friendships with people from all walks of life.

RM will missed by all that have known him. Predeceased by his parents, Jack and Maudie; he is survived by his two brothers, Fred and Kenneth; Lila Mulholland, the mother of his three children, Mason, Amelia, and Marie; and many nieces and nephews. Brother Richard, a 32nd degree Mason of the Windhorst Lodge, will be buried on Sunday, June 5, at the Garden of Memories. Visitation will from 12-3 pm, with service to follow at 3 pm at the TPepin Center, 4121 N. 50th St., Tampa. In lieu of flowers, the family wishes that donations go to the Boy Scouts of America and the Metropolitan Ministries. ~RM 8/19/1933 - 5/26/2016~ www.blountcurrymacdill.com