Thomas L. Mulcahy

Had owned Thomas FordMarbleheadThomas L. "Tom" Mulcahy, age 81, of Marblehead and Pompano Beach, FL. died Thursday November 29th. He and his wife Barbara (King) Mulcahy, a native of Halifax, Nova Scotia had recently celebrated 34 years of marriage.A lifelong member of Star of the Sea Church, he was raised and educated in Marblehead the son of the late Lawrence T. and Gladys (Williams) Mulcahy. A graduate of Marblehead High School in the class of 1944, Mr. Mulcahy began his automotive career, during his high school years, training under Charlie Prince at Ingalls Motor Company on Atlantic Ave, Marblehead.Following his graduation from Marblehead High School, Mr. Mulcahy served in the United States Navy aboard the Destroyer Escort 243, the James Richard Ward. For two years, the ship had served convoy duty in the North Atlantic during World War II. Mr. Mulcahy continued serving aboard the ship when it was redeployed to serve in the Pacific theater of operations.Following his discharge form the Navy he attended and was graduated from the General Motor Institute in Flint, Michigan. After graduation he was employed by Peach Pontiac in Marblehead and later became General Manager of Saltz Chevrolet in Salem for six years. He then purchased Cooper Ford of Peabody which was renamed to Thomas Ford. He was active in both Peabody Rotary and the Peabody Chamber of Commerce.In 1969 Mr. Mulcahy had the opportunity to purchase Toby Ford in Beverly, which later became known as Thomas Ford. He operated the business for thirty four years until his retirement.A kind and generous person he quickly became involved in the local business community. He was an active member of the Beverly rotary Club, Beverly Chamber and Commerce. He also had served as a board member and former President of the Board of the Ford Dealer Advertising Alliance Group and became the President of the Ford Motor company Parts Corporation in Boston.An honorably discharged veteran, Mr. Mulcahy actively and quietly supported Veteran's causes. He was also a founding third degree member of the former Marblehead Knights of Columbus.Mr. Mulcahy was an avid boater along the Eastern Seaboard spending his summers in Marblehead and winters in Pompano Beach, Fl. His first boat was the Conemara aboard which he had much fun with his family and friends. . He later boated aboard the Tara which he would captain from Marblehead to Florida every fall to spend the winter in Florida. At the end of the winter he would again return to Marblehead.He and his wife were longtime members of the Boston Yacht Club in Marblehead, where Mr. Mulcahy had served as commodore during the club's 120th Birthday. He and his wife were involved in many of the club's committees, activities and traveled on the club's annual summer cruises throughout New England. In addition to his involvement in club activities, Mr. Mulcahy is well known for his soft, kind and generous nature. Along with his contagious smile, he always had time for his family, friends and acquaintances not only to listen but for discussion. A compassionate and interested person he was a caring man interested in helping others for the better. If he could quietly help someone without them knowing, he even felt better. He was always smiling and made others feel welcome.In addition to his wife, Barbara, Mr. Mulcahy is survived by two nieces Kathy Gallagher of Swampscott and her children Ryan and Tara and Linda Galvin of Stockton CA and her children Leann Galvin of Columbia, SC and Melissa Dobson of Stockton, CA and a nephew David Mulcahy and his children Elizabeth and Nick Mulcahy of Mission Viejo, CA.He was predeceased by a brother Ronald Mulcahy.SERVICE INFORMATION: His funeral will be held on Monday at 10:30 A.M. from the Murphy Funeral Home, 85 Federal St., Salem to be followed by a funeral Mass at 11:00 in Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, 81 Atlantic Ave., Marblehead, Ma. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visitation will be immedia