Peter K. Mulligan

Peter K. Mulligan, 77, of Vernon, CT and St. Petersburg, FL, beloved husband of Sara-Lloyd (Donovan) Mulligan, died peacefully on Sunday, November 14, 2021, with family by his side. Peter grew up in New York and Wethersfield, CT and could usually be found playing basketball, baseball and soccer or being with his brother and friends when not at home or in school. He attended Trinity Prep in New York City and Wethersfield High School and was a graduate of University of Hartford. Achieving the degree took him thirteen dedicated years of attending classes while working and being a father to one, two and then three children. All three children attended his graduation along with Sara. In addition to traveling together, Peter and Sara enjoyed playing games - tennis, golf, and when at the table Scrabble. Peter was a gentle and humble soul except when playing Scrabble against Sara. Others were allowed to play in their fiercely competitive games, but only so Peter and Sara could block each other from obtaining the square for triple word score. As competitive as Peter was, especially with his brother George, he was gracious whether he won or lost. He just let it go. Although Peter had a drive to do well at work, he also simply loved what he did. Peter was in banking for 40 years, the first 30 at Society for Savings as Executive Vice President and then until retirement as Senior Executive Vice President of Webster Bank where he was responsible for all retail banking, small business banking, consumer finance and insurance including 115 branches and 6 insurance agencies. He served as chairman of Vantis Life Insurance Company and on the boards of the Barney School of Business at the University of Hartford, Eastern Connecticut Health Network and CBIA. His love of community led him to serve as the President of the Connecticut Special Olympics, which he and his family went to and rooted for every year. Above everything else, Peter's family was his top priority; he was always there for them. He treated Sara like a queen, once even digging through an eight foot garbage barrel to find a single earring she had accidentally thrown away. As a father, Peter was known for his homemade breakfasts: eggs, French toast, home fries, bacon and most of all the sugar & cinnamon-topped fried dough. He loved Bridget doting on him and making him chocolate chip cookies (or anything chocolate), laughing at or allowing daughter Katie's mischief and listening to son Peter at the piano and partnering with him in tennis games. He enjoyed his grandsons by going with them to action movies, sporting events and theme parks. He would never miss their music or sporting competition. Peter was a fabulous dancer and athlete. He loved all sports but was most passionate about golf and tennis, which he shared with his family and closest friends. For over 35 years, Peter was one of the founding members of a special group of tennis players, The VETS, and he helped build the capital fund for on-going scholarships for deserving athletes. To practice his golf passion, Peter had a membership at Ellington Ridge Country Club and Isla Del Sol Country Club in St. Petersburg, Florida for over 25 years. One of Peter's proud moments was achieving both a tennis and golf championship in the same year at Isla Del Sol. He also had 3 "hole-in-ones" over the years and would joke to people that his job in retirement was to lower his handicap Peter was less successful in his Stone Age Basketball league that he and his friends formed. That the team never really won, didn't matter because they had fun playing. Speaking of unsuccessful, he and his brother George once spent the winter in the garage building a catamaran boat. The only trouble was that is was made of wood. They hauled it off to the shore, but it wouldn't sail because it was too heavy. They laughed about it and said at least it kept them busy for the winter! Along with his wife of over 55 years, Sara, he leaves his children, Bridget Kennedy and her husband Timothy of South Windsor, Katie Cormier and her husband Scott of Rocky Hill, and Peter K. Mulligan Jr. and his wife Kimberly of Hollliston, MA; his Irish twin brother and best friend, George Mulligan, and his wife Patricia of East Hartford, his sister, Judith Palma and her husband Dr. Joseph Palma of Pawcatuck, his brother-in-law John Donovan and wife Phyllis of Wethersfield and his sister-in-law Novelle Donovan of Harrisville, Pa. He also leaves his 6 grandsons whom he adored, Kevin Cormier, Sean Kennedy, Ryan Cormier, Matthew Kennedy, Daniel Kennedy, Conor Mulligan and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his mother and Father George E. and Marda (Clemens) Mulligan, his sisters, Patricia Cotton of Georgia and Marda Bauer of Colorado and his brother-in-law Jere Donovan of Pennsylvania. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, November 27, 202 at 10 a.m., meeting directly at St. Margaret Mary Church, 80 Hayes Rd., South Windsor. Burial will be private at the request of his family. In lieu of flowers memorial donations in Peter's memory may be made to Connecticut Special Olympics https://www.specialolympics.org/programs/united-states/connecticut , Walk to End Alzheimer now: https://bndfr.com/f3hZs , or Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation https://themmrf.org/get-involved/ways-to-donate/ Samsel & Carmon Funeral home Buckland St South Windsor has care of the arrangements. For online condolences please visit www.carmonfuneralhome.com At a later date, the family will be having a Celebration of Life at Isla Del Sol Country Club in St Petersburg, FL.