Michael Robert Deacon "Bob" Mulligan

MULLIGAN, Michael Robert "Bob", Deacon Deacon Michael Robert "Bob" Mulligan, 83, of San Diego, CA, formerly of Suffield, died peacefully at home surrounded by family on Tuesday (November 1, 2005). His death was the result of complications from Parkinson's disease. Bob was the son of the late Michael Joseph and Margaret (Gavin) Mulligan. Bob attended St. John's University in Jamaica, NY, where he was a basketball star, but quit his studies to serve as a Marine fighter pilot in World War II. Before his squadron was sent to the Pacific Theatre, he married his sweetheart Trudy at a quiet ceremony in Pasadena, CA. Bob returned to school after the war ended and graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1949 with a degree in engineering. He did graduate studies at Holy Apostles College in Theology and Divinity, finally completing his studies at St. Thomas Seminary in Bloomfield, and was ordained to the deaconate. Bob's philosophy was: There's another road to travel. Life's short. Take as many roads as you can." And he certainly did. Trained as an engineer, he worked at many different jobs to support his ever-growing family. Once trained as a deacon, he began his many years of service to the church he loved. He was ordained June 3, 1983 in the Archdiocese of Hartford. He worked at Sacred Heart Parish in Suffield, where he was also a member of the building committee, until 1986 when he felt called to serve as a missionary in a parish of 65 families in Clayton, GA. In 1999, Bob retired from Clayton, GA and moved to San Diego, CA to enjoy its sunny days for the last years of his life. He leaves his wife of 62 years, Gertrude Mulligan; daughters, Bonnie Doherty of Haverhill, MA, Karen Linarelli of San Diego, CA; sons, Kevin Mulligan of Odenton, MD, Tim Mulligan of Portland, OR, Dan Mulligan of Methuen, MA; a sister, Marion Bench; 14 grandchildren, and eight great grandchildren. He was predeceased by a son, Michael Mulligan; daughters, Laura and Diane Mulligan; and a brother, Arthur Mulligan. Sacred Heart Parish family is grateful for Bob's years of service and invites everyone to a Memorial Mass for Bob to be held on Saturday, November 19, 10 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church, 68 Mountain Rd., Suffield. Memorial donations may be made to the San Diego Parkinson's Association, 8555 Aero Dr., Suite 308, San Diego, CA 92123 or Sacred Heart Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 626, Suffield, CT 06078.