TEWKSBURY: John J. Mullen, age 71, a resident of Tewksbury for the past 33 years, passed away on Monday, March 9, 2009 at the Massachusetts General Hospital.
He was the beloved husband of Donna E. (Nicosia) Mullen, with whom he celebrated their 33rd wedding anniversary on January 1st.
Born in Newton on March 21, 1937, he was the son of the late John J. and Mary (Kelly) Mullen.
John was raised in Newton, attended Newton schools and graduated from Our Lady Parochial High School in 1955.
Following graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and served with Company B, First Battalion of the Second Marine Division. Following his honorable discharge from active duty, he later re-enlisted with the United States Naval Reserve and served from 1978 until 1986.
Prior to his retirement, he was employed as a plumber by the Boston Housing Authority and was a 50 year member of the Plumbers Union Local # 12 of Boston.
Mr. Mullen was a communicant of Saint William’s Parish of Tewksbury.
According to his wife and children, he will fondly be remembered for his true “Irish Wit and Humor”.
John enjoyed gardening, maintaining the landscape of his yard, caring for his beloved fruit trees and traveling with his wife to Hawaii.
His greatest pleasure was doting on his beloved grandchildren, who lovingly referred to him as “Papa”.
In addition to his loving wife Donna, he is survived by four sons, John J. Mullen of Waltham, Christopher L. Mullen of Newton, Lowell Police Lieutenant, James J. Hodgdon, IV and his wife Kelly of Dracut and Massachusetts State Trooper, Sean M. Hodgdon and his wife Karen of Tewksbury; one daughter, Melissa C. Brown and her husband Chad of Worcester; six grandchildren, Sean P. and Mikayla E. Hodgdon, Kelsey L. Donahue, James J. Hodgdon V, Devin M. and Jessica L. Hodgdon; four brothers, Eugene Mullen and his wife Janice of Norwell, William Mullen and his wife Christine of Mashpee, James Mullen and his wife Ye of Columbia, SC and Robert Mullen of Gilford, NH; one sister, Joan Duggan and her husband Richard of Rotunda, FL; also several nieces and nephews.
Calling hours Thursday, March 12th, from 4-8 p.m., at the Farmer & Dee Funeral Home, 16 Lee St., Tewksbury. Funeral Friday, March 13th, at 10:30 a.m. from the funeral home, followed by his Funeral Mass at 11:30 a.m., at St. William’s Church, 1351 Main St., Rte. 38, Tewksbury. Interment at St. Mary Cemetery, Tewksbury. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, One Bullfinch Place, # 201, Boston, MA 02114-2931 (www.mass.wish.org) are suggested.