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Joseph A. "Jay" Mulvaney III

About

Vassar College

Joseph Mulvaney Obituary

Age 53 of S. Egremont MA, formerly of Watertown, MA, died suddenly on June 7, 2008. Jay was a graduate of Vassar College, book author and former award winning Television Executive. He was the recipient of 3 Emmy Awards, as both a writer and producer. Beloved brother of Kathryn Mulvaney of Watertown, MA and Paula Cashin of Dracut, MA. Devoted uncle to Meghan, Colleen and Kevin Cashin of Dracut, MA and the late Laura Cashin. Son of the late Joseph A. and Eleanor (Aries) Mulvaney, Jr. Brother-in-law of the late Robert Cashin. Funeral Mass at St. Luke's Church, 132 Lexington St., Belmont, MA on Sat, June 21 at 10:30 AM. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Any Soldier, Inc., P.O. Box 715, Waldorf, MD 20604

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Published by Boston Globe from Jun. 19 to Jun. 20, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for Joseph Mulvaney

34 Entries

John Howard

June 17, 2009

While I attended Vassar with Jay, I did not know him well. Still, I am saddened to learn of his passing and wish all the best to those he left behind.

Susan Fleming

April 7, 2009

My name is Susan Fleming and Jay gave me a home and some of my best memories of NYC when I roomed with him between my work in Israel and Australia. I am so sad to have missed you and saying goodbye. Bravo Jay. Adieu.

Molly Fowler

February 28, 2009

I met Jay at CBS. He was the key to the kingdom and took a shine to me. Not everyone got in the door and the way he ran the place always delighted me. I loved him for his wit and humor, his edge, his passion and his extraordinary quick intelligence. I am so sad to know he's not with us any more. But I'm quite certain he is doing great things in his own style where ever he is.

Amanda Hahn Griffiths

January 30, 2009

I was so sad to hear of Jay's death. Over 30 years later he remains one of my most vivid memories of Vassar. Larger than life in so many ways but especially in his heart and sense of humour. Such a loss.

Susan Whitacre

January 15, 2009

Jay, thank you for the memories... laughter, big bear hugs and a warm gentle spirit. Salve.

Elizabeth Nagy

December 16, 2008

I only just learned of Jay's passing, also from the Vassar Quarterly. He was a lovely person, as many have written, and so full of life. We were classmates, and although I knew him only a bit at Vassar, when I called him years later to ask him to speak in Washington to alums, Jay could not have been more gracious. We reconnected thereafter at reunions and I looked forward to the laughs, the charm, and the the love of life he exuded. I will miss him. My condolences to his family and his many other friends.

Marian Ferro

November 30, 2008

I was shocked and saddened to hear of Jay's passing, which I found out about last night, at my 35th high school reunion. I graduated with Jay, who was in my classes since elementary school. I remember seeing him at our 30th reunion, where we had an interesting conversation. It was great to hear what a successful--and exciting--life Jay was living. I had hoped to see hm at this reunion as well, and that's where I heard the news. I am saddened by this and I offer sympathy to his family. But at least we know he really LIVED, and one can't say that about everyone.

Deborah Elias-Smith

November 29, 2008

I counted myself among Jay's wide circle of friends when we were at Vassar together. My memories of college will always include Jay's kindness, humor and style. I am so sorry for your loss.

Victoria Moran

October 25, 2008

Jay was the first friend I made when I moved to New York City in 2000. As a fellow writer, he took me under his wing in the Big Apple and wrote the dearest Acknowledgment in his Jackie and Diana book -- I will always treasure it. I loved how he knew so many wonderful, worldly things -- like where all the celebrities lived on the West Side. He was like a encyclopedia of cultural information. But much more, he was the dearest, most understanding friend.

Kerry McCollough

October 18, 2008

Vassar was a brighter, less intimidating place for me because of Jay's generous nature and humor and I was sad to learn of his passing. My heart goes out to his family and friends.

Kathryn Sampson

October 9, 2008

The Vassar Quarterly brought the news to me, too. I only knew Jay when we served together on the Student Advisory Board, but he was like a spring tonic, surprising and always good for you, and he remained one of my happier memories of college. I think the last time I saw him was a Halloween night, striding across campus in full costume as Cecil B. DeMille. I wish I had known him further, and I'm so sorry to know he's gone.

Martha Lingua-Wheless

October 4, 2008

My sympathies and condolences go out to Jay's family. I first met Jay at Vassar (he was a class ahead of my.) I always treasured his sense of humor, kindness, and intelligence. I vividly remember one Halloween party for which Jay loaned my friend Karen Goldstein and I 2 pairs of his boxers and 2 of his rugby shirts, so that we could go to the party dressed as Tweedle-Dum and Tweedle-Dee. I also remember Jay elegantly dressed as a "zit."

I saw Jay a few years after graduation, when my oldest child, Beth, now 21, was a toddler. Jay and I had several wonderful conversations about his work at Nickelodeon on quality children's programming. I always appreciated his consideration of children and what was best for them.

Additionally I admired Jay's work on the Kennedys'. He truly had a gift for bringing people to life through his work.

I thought of Jay often and will miss him greatly.

With deepest sympathy,
Martha Lingua ('78)

Yasmin Attar

October 1, 2008

I too was shocked to read of Jay's death in the VC Quarterly. I'm glad I saw him at last Vassar reunion in June 2007. I gave him a photo I had taken at prior reunion (June 2002) and he was so appreciative despite it being 5 years late! Monique de Benedictis and I chatted with him on the last day as we wandered around the campus; he was so approachable and personable. I will miss him at reunions as he never missed a one. If anyone wants a photo from last reunion, let me know and I will email to you. (VC 1977)

Susan Stone

September 30, 2008

I was deeply saddened to read of Jay's death in the Vassar Quarterly. Not only were we friends in school, Jay got me a job working for the Performing Arts Rep Theatre on Riverside Dr. from Dec. '77 to June of the following year when I left for grad school. He taught me a lot!

I followed his career from afar and I will remember his ebullience and joy and how much he added to the fun of a gathering. He will be missed.

Susan Berman Stone (VC '78)

Robin Brady Mead

September 29, 2008

I met Jay my first day at Vassar and he always had a cheerful greeting. He had a way of granting his full attention that was inclusive and captivating. I loved seeing him at various New York gatherings and reunions. He will be missed.

Ellen Dickstein Kominers (VC '77)

September 25, 2008

Literally just a few days ago, I chanced upon a "Biography" rerun of the Jackie Onassis program. I watched, knowing that I'd see Jay (whose career I'd followed)--for the first time since we graduated together (Vassar '77). It truly gave me joy all these years to see him so successful and having made for himself a professional life that seemed to fit him like a glove. So I, too, was shocked to open the Quarterly and read of our class's loss. I liked Jay our four years in college; I was proud of him all these past 30 years. My sincerest condolences.

Maureen Monroe '78

September 25, 2008

I would like to express my deepest condolences to the family. I was saddened to read in the Vassar Quarterly of Jays' untimely passing. We were in a production of Candide together and I knew him as an upper classman whose energy filled any space he was in. I enjoyed the wit and fine eye he brought to his publications and always looked forward to seeing him at reunions. He will be missed.

John Rosenblatt

September 24, 2008

I had the privilege of being Jay's roommate during our freshman year at Vassar. While we socialized in different circles and eventually drifted apart, I found him to be a warm generous and genuine person. I recollect sitting up with him on several occasions talking into the wee hours of the morning. His sense of humor was phenomenal. I am sure those close to him miss him deeply. My sincere and heartfelt condolences to all of them.

Deborah Boone Tepper

September 24, 2008

I was stunned to read in the Vassar Quarterly of Jay's death. He added so much life and fun to our class. I can still see him with a big grin sitting on a couch in Mathew's Mug with his arms around the women on either side of him. I am glad to read that he continued to bring good times to others after he left Vassar and that his life was a happy one.
Deb (Boone) Tepper

Steven Mark

September 24, 2008

Dear Mulvaney Family:

I worked with Jay at Nickelodeon and the three words that best describe his wonderful presence is "larger than life." Always witty, intellectually curious, and a heck of a program executive, I made sure I always passed his office on my way in and out of the office. In later years, I had the good fortune to discuss his writing with him and he loved it and his subjects. I'll miss his earthly presence but never be without his spirit. May your bereavement be lightened by the many friends and associates he had.

Page Tolbert

September 23, 2008

I, too, just learned of Jay's sudden death in the Vassar Quarterly, and was shocked and saddened. Knew Jay at Vassar, where he was a wild and fun character. Then he lived with my folks while looking for a place in NY, and became a member of the family. Didn't see him for many years, until we got together a while back for dinner -- when I found him older, wiser, deeper -- but just as much fun.
Condolences to his friends and family.

Page Tolbert
New York, NY

Michael Grunberg

September 22, 2008

To Jay's Family & many friends,

Although I hadn't seen Jay in many years, he was always near and dear to me from having meet him as a freshman at Vassar. He was the older guy introducing me to his female friends, hoping to hear some lascivious bit of gossip or worse. He was both a mentor and entertainer. He was a wonderful human being who taught me tolerance of those different than myself . . . who could not like him? I deeply regret not seeing him again with my four kids and I recall thinking even back then what a great Dad he might have made for all his pearls of wisdom. I and many others will miss him.

Klaus Solomon (formerly Resslhuber)

September 22, 2008

Please accept my condolences on Jay's passing. I just finished reading the Vassar Quarterly, and was quite stunned to see Jay's name at the end of the class notes section. We entered Vassar together, and it pains me to think that he is so soon gone. My thoughts are with you.

David Ayotte

September 19, 2008

Dear Mulvaney family,

I knew Jay from elementary school through high school. We were friends from a young age. It is too bad that I did not know Jay had been in Television as I chose that career as well but in a different part of the country.

What I remember most about Jay was his kind heart. He was a fine young man and will be missed.

My condolences,

David Ayotte
Watertown High School '73

Larry Storch

September 19, 2008

My deepest condolences to Jay's family on this sudden loss. I knew Jay during our days at Vassar. I was in the class ahead of Jay's, but we took a PE class together (squash). We were frequent partners on the court during that class, and we always had fun. Again, my deepest condolences.

Jay Segarra

September 5, 2008

I knew Jay in high school, and became reacquainted at the 30th Reunion. He was as enigmatically intelligent then as I remembered him. We had plans to meet in NY, which now will not be realized. I feel the loss, and wish his family and our mutual friends well.

Hasmin Espiritu

July 14, 2008

To Jay's family, I met him a few months ago here in Florence while working at the U.S. Consulate. I assisted him with replacing his passport, listening to his stories on the biography he was working on and having fun going on shopping sprees....like picking out beautiful women shoes for his family! He was a wonderful and generous person. Sorry I was not able to make it to his birthday party the day before he departed back to the U.S. He will surely be missed. Cari Saluti, Hasmin

Karen Semerjian

July 8, 2008

My deepest sympathy to the Mulvaney family. I was fortunate to have met Jay back in elementary school. He was so much fun and even back then, we all knew that someday he would become very successful. I also had the opportunity to see Jay at our last high school reunion. He will truly be missed.

Chief Reena Bucknell

July 1, 2008

I was quite shocked and saddened to have learned of Jay's passing. We met several years ago when I began working in Egremont and we hit it off tremendously from the moment we met. I will surely miss his smile, kind heartedness, and our talks whenever he came to visit me. My sincere sympathy to Jay's family and friends, Chief RL Bucknell,Egremont Police Department

Karen Lewis

June 24, 2008

Jay's family, my deepest sympathy for your loss. I knew Jay for ages - we worked, partied and were outrageous at "P.A.R.T.", a children's theatre company in NYC.

In later years we saw each other only occasionally, but there was always an unbreakable bond - having been in the "trenches" together. Among my many treasured memories: Jay staying up all night to watch Diana & Charles' royal wedding live on TV. He had to be there. No video for our Jay. And then there were his bountiful care packages from home which he generously shared with his hungry co-workers.

His humor, wit and intelligence were a gift to all who had the pleasure of knowing him. Some of us who worked and played with him in "the old days" are getting together in the next week or so to raise a glass, tell our Jay stories and relive those fabulous times.

I hope you all believe in heaven - because thinking of Jay with many of the folks he idolized delights me. Any place is better with a big ol' dose of Jay Mulvaney. All of us who love him and were loved by him are very lucky.

Sheri Bolevice

June 23, 2008

To Jay's Family,
I hope you are doing better each day in this difficult time. Jay was a generous and kind friend to my son Tim. Tim was very proud of the work he had done on Jay's beautiful home in Egremont. There is an atmosphere of serenity and beauty there. It is obvious that Jay loved the place and put years of care into it. Jay was a valued friend to Timnd was so supportive to him and to his family when Tim had some hard times last year. Jay will be greatly missed and lovingly remembered by us. Perhaps if you are up this way, we will get to meet some day.

Donna Quinno

June 20, 2008

Paula and family,
Even though I only met Jay once, I was aware of how much he loved his family and enjoyed life. My thoughts and prayers are with you all

Mary Jenkins

June 20, 2008

Dear Paula & Katie,
I am so sorry to hear about Jay. I have very fond memories of our childhood together. I will always remember his good nature and kind heart. You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Sincerely,

Ann Labadini Hamel

June 19, 2008

Paula and Kate,

I was so sadden to learn Jay had passed away. I have such fond memories of when we were kids. From "My Fair Lady" in the fourth grade to CYO and more.

You are both in my thoughts and prayers.

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