LOWELL—Retired Lowell Fire Chief John J. Mulligan, 86 years old, died Sunday afternoon, September 14th, at the Blaire House, in Tewksbury, after a long illness. He was the beloved husband of Doris (Kelley) Mulligan with whom he celebrated 59 years of marriage.
He was born in Lowell, on April 2, 1922, a son of the late John J. and Mary T. (Higgins) Mulligan. He was a graduate of the Immaculate Conception Grammar School and Lowell High School.
Mr. Mulligan served in the United States Navy during World War II as an Aviation Radioman. Upon his discharge, he was appointed to the Lowell Fire Department in 1948 as a Reserve Firefighter. He worked for over 39 years retiring in 1987 as Fire Chief.
Surviving him beside his wife are a son and daughter-in-law: John J. and Evelyn Mulligan, of Lowell; two daughters and sons-in-law: Mary Mulligan, and her husband Arnold Saitow, of Nashua, NH; and Judith and James Green, of Lowell; five grandchildren: John, Christine, and Kathleen Mulligan; and Elizabeth and Emma Green; three brothers: Edward and Jean Mulligan, of Harrisville, RI; Thomas Mulligan and Lenore Kenney, of Lowell; and Paul and Helen Mulligan, of Chelmsford; a sister-in-law: Janet Mulligan, of Lowell; also many nieces and nephews.
He was the brother of the late James W. Mulligan, who died in March of 2001.
Relatives and friends are invited to his Funeral Mass to be offered on Wednesday, September 17th at 12 noon at the IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHURCH, Lowell. Burial in St. Mary Cemetery, Tewksbury. There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association; 311 Arsenal Street; Watertown, MA 02427, or www.alz.org.