James Patrick Mullarkey

YOUNGSTOWN – James Patrick Mullarkey, 67, passed away peacefully on Thursday evening February 1, 2024, with his loving family by his side. James was born August 15, 1956, in Youngstown, to parents Charles Francis and Rose (Damiano) Mullarkey and remained a lifelong resident of the Mahoning Valley. James attended St. Dominic's parochial school and was a 1974 graduate of Cardinal Mooney High School. A lifelong outdoorsman, James loved camping, boating, canoeing, and skiing in his younger years. He always prided himself on working hard, loving those he cared about, and being a part of the 'Young America' generation, of the "Baby Boom." He held various jobs early on, most notably as part of Camp Stambaugh's 1971 summer camp staff, where he worked in the kitchen. Throughout his high school years, he worked at Burger Chef as an Assistant Manager. James came from a long family line of steel workers, going back to the puddle mills of Ireland, a legacy he was always proud of. In 1976, he was hired at the US Steel McDonald Works, working as an overhead crane operator, until the plants closure in 1981; the same time that the steel industry was beginning to go under in the Mahoning Valley. From the early 1980s until the mid-1990s, James was employed with Ohio Edison's Forestry Division as a utility worker and lineman, where he received many service and safety awards. He took great pride in working the aftermath of the May 31, 1985 tornado outbreak cleanup efforts, a severe storm system that affected much of Northeast Ohio. James was employed at Copperweld Steel Corporation from the mid-1990s until the plant's closure in 2001; where he worked on the Track Repair Gang. His career as a steel worker went on, he went to work at WCI/RG Steel in Warren, where he worked in the 56" Rolling Mill; until the plant's closure in 2012. In the era of globalization and the de-industrialization of America, James was a witness to history facing the adversities of a changing world, actively witnessing the collapse of the local steel industry in the Mahoning Valley, while enduring plant closures one after the other. He was a hard worker and he always provided for his family, and he instilled the value of hard work and good work ethics within his children at a young age. Before retiring, James worked at Mercy Health-Youngstown, where he was loved by all; but his passion and pride as a steel worker never left his heart. James was a longtime parishioner at St. Michael's Church in Canfield, and previously a parishioner at St. Dominic's Church in Youngstown. He was a member of the St. Michael's Men's Renewal team, and he especially made an impact as an Assistant Scout Master of Boy Scout Troop #115. His son achieved his Eagle Scout Award in 2013 under his guidance, just as he did many years before in 1973, as a member of St. Dominic's Boy Scout Troop #24. James married the love of his life, Michele (Skoufatos) Mullarkey on October 20, 1990. Together with their two children, they have enjoyed many vacations to Wildwood, NJ and Florida. His children were his pride and joy and he would do anything for them. James loved live entertainment, he enjoyed going to concerts, plays, and other forms of the performing arts. He also shared his love for Oldies, Motown, and Doo-Wop music with all who would listen, especially his immediate family. Additionally, he developed a huge interest in current events and the news cycle, specifically the stock market and business news. The CNBC business news channel was a constant sound in his home. He loved reading his newspapers also, his favorites included The Vindicator and The Business Journal. James is survived by his beloved wife Michele; his son James Vincent Mullarkey; his daughter Christina Marie Mullarkey; his brothers and sisters in-law Attorney Nikitas (Kathy) Skoufatos and Vera (Paul) Brown; his niece and nephew Alexis and Nicholas Skoufatos; his lifelong best friend Mark Escaja; and many cousins, dear friends, and old friends from Helena Ave. In addition to his parents, James was preceded in death by his in-laws Nicholas and Ann Skoufatos, and many aunts and uncles. The Mullarkey family would like to express their sincere thanks and gratitude to his many doctors, nurses, and the healthcare teams from both Mercy Health-Youngstown and University Hospital's Seidman Cancer Center in Cleveland for their exceptional care and support; especially in his final days. Friends and family may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024, at the Edward J. Fox & Sons Funeral Home, 4700 Market St., Boardman. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Rev. John-Michael Lavelle, at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024, at St. Michael Church, 300 N Broad St, Canfield, followed by interment at Calvary Cemetery Arrangements have been entrusted to the Edward J. Fox & Sons Funeral Home, 4700 Market St. Boardman. Family and friends of James may visit www.foxfuneralhome.org to view this obituary and to leave condolences for the Mullarkey family. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of James Patrick Mullarkey, please visit our floral store.