Joseph T. Mullen

Joseph T. Mullen, 86, of Dedham, MA, a former long-time resident of Cranston, RI, died Friday, February 3rd in Norwood Hospital, Massachusetts. He was the beloved husband of Eileen (Geoghegan) Mullen. Mr. & Mrs. Mullen celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary in August 2011. Mr. Mullen was born in Providence, RI, the son of the late Joseph and Katharine (Kelley) Mullen. He moved to Massachusetts in 2010.

Mr. Mullen, known as "Joe", was a kind and gentle man who leaves behind a large and loving family. He had five children and 12 grandchildren: Joseph Glenmullen, MD, of Cambridge, MA, and his children Ciara, Peter, and Michael; Thomas Mullen of Boston, MA, and his daughters Michelle and April; Edward Mullen of Newton, MA, his wife Susanne, and their daughters Jennifer and Liz; Mary Mullen-Kirby of Williamstown, MA, her husband Kris Kirby, and their sons Will and Tommy Kirby; and Eileen Mullen of Needham, MA, her husband Douglas Phillips, and their children Nick, Claire and Kate Phillips.

Mr. Mullen was the dear brother of John Mullen of South Yarmouth, MA, and the late Rev. Edward Mullen of Providence, RI. He was pre-deceased by three brothers-in-law, Msgr. Arthur Geoghegan of North Smithfield, RI, Colonel Joseph Geoghegan of Hinesville, GA, and Dr. Leo Geoghegan, of Cranston, RI, and two sisters-in-law, Mary Mullen of South Yarmouth, MA, and Inge Geoghegan of Hinesville, GA. He is survived by three sisters-in law, Margeurite Thoren of San Diego, CA, Rita Pilkington, of Greenville, RI, and Helen Geoghegan, of Cranston, RI. He is also survived by many loving cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Mr. Mullen graduated from Classical High School in 1943 and Brown University in 1949. During the Second World War, he served in the USAAF 15th Air Force. He flew 35 combat missions in Europe on a B-24 "Liberator" Bomber, and was awarded the Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters, the Presidential Unit Citation, and additional medals. During his service he survived three crash landings behind enemy lines in Europe.

For many years Mr. Mullen was vice-president of the municipal bond department of Citizens Bank in Providence, RI. He retired from this position 20 years ago. Mr. Mullen was a member of the Brown University Alumni Association of Rhode Island, and the Brown Faculty Club. He was a former Chairman of the Cranston Committee for Better Schools, and a member of the Knights of Columbus, St Paul's parish, Cranston, and the Municipal Bond Club of Boston.

A private funeral mass was held on Tuesday, February 7th, at Our Lady Help of Christians Church in Newton, MA. Mr. Mullen was buried with military honors in the Newton Cemetery.

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