Thomas F. Mulrooney MD

Thomas F. Mulrooney, MD
June 11, 2025
Thomas Francis Mulrooney was born on September 28, 1934, to Eunice and Thomas F. Mulrooney, Sr. He graduated from St. Thomas Military Academy in 1952 and enrolled at the College of St. Thomas (now the University of St. Thomas) for three years before entering the University of Minnesota Medical School a year early. He graduated with a Doctor of Medicine in June 1959 and entered the Navy soon after, where he served for two years. He enjoyed a long career as a pulmonologist with the Minnesota Lung Center and as a Sleep Medicine Specialist at the Minnesota Sleep Institute.
Long before his professional pursuits, Tom sought something much greater. While attending a high school house party, he watched a lovely brunette descend the staircase, nudged his friend and asked, "Who is that?"
The "who" was Donna Larson and together they journeyed through 58 years of marriage. As a team, they navigated Tom's bout with Polio, managed his long medical career, raised five children, and celebrated the arrival of 15 grandchildren. (Later, on his own, Tom would welcome four great-grandchildren.)
When Donna became ill, Tom became her expert caregiver, reaffirming his wedding vow of "in sickness and in health" every day for many years. When Donna relocated to Heaven in 2017, Tom never stopped missing her.
The Mulrooney children grew up understanding that their father was a man of immense intellect, well-founded integrity, and distinct Irish wit. He had an impeccable memory, able to recall dates and details with razor-sharp acuity.
His voracious love of reading (particularly for historical non-fiction) and an innate inquisitiveness made him a masterful conversationalist on any topic. A tower of hardcover books flanked his evening chair where he would sit nightly and indulge in the pure pleasure of reading. He favored wartime heroes, the American Founders, British aristocrats, and Shakesperean protagonists, but it was perhaps his affection for the timeless heroes of Children's Literature that revealed Tom's most cherished virtues. He knew that deep within the Hundred Acre Wood lay the keys to living a noble life: be curious, be humble, be kind, be faithful. (Thank you, Winnie-the-Pooh and Friends.)
All who knew Tom experienced genuine greatness. He will be missed most dearly by:
Lynn Kerber (Bob), Michael Mulrooney, Daniel Mulrooney (Phillip Lies), Timothy Mulrooney (Melissa Haley), and Molly Wade. He adored his grandchildren (to whom he was known as "Doc"): Thomas, Joseph, Abby, and Grace (Lynn); Kayla and Megan (Mike); Caleb and Brianna (Dan); Simon, Emmett, and Abraham (Tim); and Conor, Quinn, Billy, and Maggie (Molly); grandsons-in-law Dominic Ray (Abby) and Jared Willaby (Grace); great-grandchildren Liam, Calvin, Rhodes, and Jett; his sister Pat (Ron) Eldred and brother Jim (Barb) Mulrooney as well as many nieces and nephews and extended relatives. We, his family, are deeply grateful to move forward with his love inside of us.
Family was very important to Tom and many memories were created during holidays, milestones, celebrations, and simple shared togetherness. At the end of any gathering, Tom would politely signal to his family that it was time to leave with his trademark clearing of his throat followed by a "Well " and all would know that it was time to rise and go.
His favorite place in this world was on the deck of the family's cabin on Lake Hubert (Nisswa, MN). There, too, he was accompanied by his books, always opting for "real" books, not digital adaptations. Engrossed in evening reading, he would pause occasionally to admire the beautiful haunting call of loons on the lake. And smile.
In accordance with Christ, the Great Physician, Tom modeled his life. The Catholic faith was the compass by which he and Donna navigated their journey both as individuals and as a couple. In Catholicism, Tom found strength and hope, spiritual guidance, and reassurance in challenging times. He lived his faith through the healing profession and as the gentle patriarch of his family.
It is no surprise then that when, this past Wednesday, God tapped him upon the shoulder and whispered, "Well " that Tom knew it was time to rise and go.
Visitation 4-6 PM Friday, June 20th at the O'Halloran and Murphy Funeral Home (575 S. Snelling Ave, St. Paul) 651-698-0796. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on June 21st at Church of the Assumption (51 7th St W, St Paul, MN 55102) at 10 AM. Interment following at Resurrection Cemetery. 651-698-0796
A special note of gratitude to Lexington Landing for their attentive and compassionate care. LL staff will remain in the Mulrooney prayers of gratitude always.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to Little Sisters of the Poor https://littlesistersofthepoor.org/.
When Irish eyes are smiling, Sure, 'tis like the morn in Spring.
In the lilt of Irish laughter, You can hear the angels sing.
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