Obituary for John Lawrence Mulkeen
John L. (Jack) Mulkeen passed away peacefully at home at the age of 92, on July 4, 2021, while his wife of 69 years held his hand and his family was gathered outside by the pond.
Jack was born on April 4, 1929, in Boston, Massachusetts. He was raised in Readville, Massachusetts, where he was a boy scout and a lifeguard at the YMCA. After completing his education, he enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve. Sgt. Mulkeen was assigned to El Toro Marine Base in Santa Ana, California. He served as a navigator aboard C47s traveling from California to Tokyo.
While stationed in California, a friend suggested a double date. Jack agreed to the blind date and met Pat McCoy. It was love at first sight for Jack, he was persistent, and in 1951, they were married.
After his Marine service, they drove east to Massachusetts with their infant son in their 1941 Lincoln Continental. They raised their son and two daughters in Hyde Park, Massachusetts, until the family moved to West Yarmouth in 1960. On the Cape, Jack worked at “Ma Bell” as a lineman/splicer and then as a supervisor.
Throughout his life on the Cape, Jack was very active in town affairs. He was a scout leader for Troop 58. He was chairman of the Water Quality Advisory Committee for 12 years. He was instrumental in the construction of the Reid Avenue Playground. Jack’s love of the natural beauty of the Cape led to his involvement in the Land Bank and development of Chase Brook Park and the Homer’s Dock Trail Conservation Area. He was always active in Town Meeting.
When not busy in town, Jack and Pat enjoyed traveling. They visited Germany, Ireland, England, Italy, the Caribbean, Scandinavia, and RV’d from the Yucatan in Mexico to Alaska and many times cross-country.
Throughout his life, Jack was an animal lover, having many cats and dogs as family pets. He enjoyed walking his dogs everyday along the bogs and trails. Many dog walkers might remember crossing paths with Jack, wearing his Irish cap and walking his Wheaten terriers.
He was an avid reader and also loved sailing and swimming at their home on Big Sandy Pond and at the ocean. His favorite time was when he was surrounded by family at the pond, with children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren splashing, laughing and talking together.
Jack is survived by his wife, Pat Mulkeen; his son John Mulkeen and wife Deb of Marstons Mills, daughter Kara and husband Jim Linthicum of Cambridge, Maryland, son-in-law Nick Pasquarosa of Yarmouthport; grandchildren Lynn Mulkeen, Ross Linthicum, Ben Pasquarosa; great-grandchildren Sam Mulkeen Perry, Ada and Noah Linthicum; and sister-in-law Margaret Gebb of Sebastopol, California. He is also survived by a cousin and several nieces and nephews.He was predeceased by his parents, James and Pearl Mulkeen, his sister Jean Smith, and his daughter, Lisa Pasquarosa, who passed away in March, 2021.
Services will be private. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to your favorite charity in Jack’s memory.
Obituary lovingly written by the family of John Mulkeen
Jack was born on April 4, 1929, in Boston, Massachusetts. He was raised in Readville, Massachusetts, where he was a boy scout and a lifeguard at the YMCA. After completing his education, he enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve. Sgt. Mulkeen was assigned to El Toro Marine Base in Santa Ana, California. He served as a navigator aboard C47s traveling from California to Tokyo.
While stationed in California, a friend suggested a double date. Jack agreed to the blind date and met Pat McCoy. It was love at first sight for Jack, he was persistent, and in 1951, they were married.
After his Marine service, they drove east to Massachusetts with their infant son in their 1941 Lincoln Continental. They raised their son and two daughters in Hyde Park, Massachusetts, until the family moved to West Yarmouth in 1960. On the Cape, Jack worked at “Ma Bell” as a lineman/splicer and then as a supervisor.
Throughout his life on the Cape, Jack was very active in town affairs. He was a scout leader for Troop 58. He was chairman of the Water Quality Advisory Committee for 12 years. He was instrumental in the construction of the Reid Avenue Playground. Jack’s love of the natural beauty of the Cape led to his involvement in the Land Bank and development of Chase Brook Park and the Homer’s Dock Trail Conservation Area. He was always active in Town Meeting.
When not busy in town, Jack and Pat enjoyed traveling. They visited Germany, Ireland, England, Italy, the Caribbean, Scandinavia, and RV’d from the Yucatan in Mexico to Alaska and many times cross-country.
Throughout his life, Jack was an animal lover, having many cats and dogs as family pets. He enjoyed walking his dogs everyday along the bogs and trails. Many dog walkers might remember crossing paths with Jack, wearing his Irish cap and walking his Wheaten terriers.
He was an avid reader and also loved sailing and swimming at their home on Big Sandy Pond and at the ocean. His favorite time was when he was surrounded by family at the pond, with children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren splashing, laughing and talking together.
Jack is survived by his wife, Pat Mulkeen; his son John Mulkeen and wife Deb of Marstons Mills, daughter Kara and husband Jim Linthicum of Cambridge, Maryland, son-in-law Nick Pasquarosa of Yarmouthport; grandchildren Lynn Mulkeen, Ross Linthicum, Ben Pasquarosa; great-grandchildren Sam Mulkeen Perry, Ada and Noah Linthicum; and sister-in-law Margaret Gebb of Sebastopol, California. He is also survived by a cousin and several nieces and nephews.He was predeceased by his parents, James and Pearl Mulkeen, his sister Jean Smith, and his daughter, Lisa Pasquarosa, who passed away in March, 2021.
Services will be private. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to your favorite charity in Jack’s memory.
Obituary lovingly written by the family of John Mulkeen