Judge Salvadore Thomas Mulé

Judge Salvadore Thomas Mulé died peacefully surrounded by his family on Wednesday, January 1, 2025 at the age of 92.

Salvadore is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Margaret Mary Falcon Mule’; his parents, Gabriel Mulé and Catherine Amato Mulé; his three brothers - Anthony Mulé, John Mulé, and Sam Mulé; and six of his sisters - Sister Catherine Mulé, Sister Claire Mulé, Corinne Banfield, Mary Mulé, Rose Noto, and Sarah Mulé.

He is survived by his three sons Thomas (Theresa), Michael (Merriweather), and Millard (Sarah); his six grandchildren Rosalie, Camille, Salvadore, Maximilian, Gabriel, and Isabella; his sister Margaret Ann Mulé; his nephews Harold (Diane) Baur II, Gabriel (Barbara) Mulé, and Raphael (Suzette) Mulé; his nieces Catharine Pardo and Mary Angela Rudh; his godchildren Evangeline Vavrick, Harold Baur III, and Mark Baur; and numerous other loving family members and friends.

Born during the Great Depression to Sicilian immigrants, Salvadore learned to love God and love America. His parents, neighborhood grocers in the Tremé, instilled in Salvadore and his 10 siblings to work hard and always give to others.

From the sacrifices of his parents and family, Salvadore was fortunate to attend St. Joseph Seminary from age 12 until his high school graduation in 1950. He then received his Bachelor’s Degree in Church History from Notre Dame Seminary. Following his college graduation, Salvadore joined the United States Army, where he honorably served at the Southern European NATO Headquarters in Naples, Italy.

Upon his return to the States, Salvadore worked at Esso and Sears – saving his money to attend Loyola Law School. Although the days were long and the return bus rides home to New Orleans East late, he remained determined and received his law degree in 1962. Post graduation, Salvadore served in private practice in New Orleans.

In 1976, Salvadore was elected an Orleans Parish Juvenile Court Judge, a position he was re-elected to twice and held for 24 years. During this tenure, he was instrumental in enacting the Louisiana Children’s Code – the organized compilation of all state laws affecting juveniles and juvenile delinquency. Salvadore was also the first juvenile judge in Louisiana to implement mediation – a practice essential in the rehabilitation of juveniles today. And, he proudly managed thousands of adoption cases for families in New Orleans.

In 1985, Salvadore started CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) in New Orleans, a program designed to advocate for abused and neglected children in foster care. CASA has not only become a valuable tool for the courts throughout Louisiana, but also throughout the entire United States.

Upon his retirement in Orleans Parish, Salvadore was appointed by the Louisiana Supreme Court to serve as the Administrative Judge of the East Baton Rouge Parish Juvenile Court. Following his three-year service in Baton Rouge, he was appointed judge for the 21st Judicial District Court. While there, Salvadore heard all juvenile matters for Tangipahoa, Livingston, and St. Helena Parishes. Additionally, he served as a judge pro tempore in Jefferson and St. Tammany Parishes. Salvadore also served many years as a Commissioner of the Florida Parishes Juvenile Justice District.

Salvadore was recognized numerous times for his outstanding work to help change lives, particularly those of juveniles. In 1988, he was named Louisiana Judge of the Year by the Louisiana CASA Association. In 1990, Salvadore was elected and served as the president of the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges. In 1994, he was awarded the National Judge of the Year by the National CASA Association. And, in 2000, Salvadore was the recipient of the Judge Richard Ware Award from the Louisiana Children’s Trust Fund.

Known for his selfless work on the behalf of underprivileged children, Salvadore was recruited by the late Fr. Harry Tompson, S.J. to serve as a charter member of the Jesuit Program for Living and Learning and to serve annually for Boys Hope/Girls Hope. From the hard work and dedication of Boys Hope/Girls Hope, numerous underprivileged, abused, and/or neglected youth who show the potential of college aspirations are given Catholic high school education, housing, and counseling.

Salvadore was actively involved in church activities since he was an altar boy at St. Augustine Church. From singing in the St. Louis Cathedral Choir to serving as an extraordinary minister of the Eucharist at Mercy Hospital, he volunteered countless hours to Christ’s work. A past president of the St. Thomas More Catholic Lawyers Association, Salvadore volunteered annually for the Red Mass. For 25 years, he served as the weekly radio and Christmas Eve Midnight Mass television commentator at the St. Louis Cathedral. Salvadore served as a lector, Eucharistic minister, altar server, and pastoral council member at St. Matthias and Holy Name of Jesus churches. After Hurricane Katrina, Salvadore and Margaret Mary moved to Folsom – where he was a lector, Eucharistic minister, Advocate Officer of the Knights of Columbus, and president of the pastoral council of St. John the Baptist Church. Together with Margaret Mary, he led the parish’s annual St. Joseph’s Altar.

Always striving to help children, Salvadore was a school board member at St. James Major High and Holy Name of Jesus Elementary. He taught CCD classes at Resurrection Church and was a volunteer Latin tutor for high school students across the metro area. For three years, Salvadore was a volunteer adjunct professor of Juvenile Law at Loyola Law School. He was a supporter of Jesuit High School, St. Joseph Abbey, and Spring Hill College.

Salvadore was the first lay president of the St. Joseph Seminary College Alumni Association, and he was the college’s Alumnus of the Year recipient in 2010.

Salvadore was a leader in the campaign for Capital Improvements for the Sisters Servants of Mary – a religious order who nurse the terminally ill throughout Greater New Orleans. He also volunteered with the St. Vincent de Paul Society, Louisiana Right to Life, and Habitat for Humanity. He was a regular attendee and avid supporter for decades of the Manresa House of Retreats.

Salvadore was also a lifelong member of the Contessa Entellina Society, the oldest Italian/Sicilian Society in New Orleans.

Salvadore’s greatest joy was that of his family. The pride he had in his wife, children, and grandchildren was unmatched. Affectionally called “Pacca” by his grandchildren, Salvadore was the life of every family gathering or any party he attended.

In lieu of flowers, his family asks that donations be made to the Sister Servants of Mary (5001 Perlita Street, New Orleans, LA 70122).

His family will receive guests, as well as pray the Holy Rosary, at Bagnell & Son Funeral Home (75212 Lee Road, Covington, LA 70435) on Friday, January 10th from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

Visitation will be held at St. Joseph’s Abbey (75376 River Road, Saint Benedict, LA 70457) from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM on Saturday, January 11th. Funeral Mass will immediately follow there at 2:00 PM. Burial to follow in the Saint Joseph Abbey Cemetery. A Celebration of Life reception will be held from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM in Jonathan Hall at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church (11345 St. John Church Road, Folsom, LA 70437).