Joseph (Joe) William Mullen, Jr beloved father, grandfather, uncle, brother, and friend died on August 9, 2021 at the age of 86. He was at home, surrounded by his family, as he hoped. Joe liked to have a plan, and his passing went according to his plan.
Joe was born in 1935 in Bronx, New York to Florence (Cleary) and Joseph Mullen. He was raised there with his sister Florence by two loving and devoted parents. His sister’s three children, Diane, Jack, and Kevin meant the world to Joe. He cherished his role as uncle.
Joe attended high school at Iona Prep, received his undergraduate degree from the College of Holy Cross (there wasn’t a prouder Crusader!) and a law degree from Georgetown University. Joe’s upbringing helped foster a deep and abiding faith in the Lord that endured a lifetime. It was a way of life for him.
While at Georgetown he met the love of his life, Roselind (Rollie) McGinnis. After four years of dating (three years too long for Joe) they married in 1963 in Rollie’s hometown of Allenhurst, NJ. They went on to have many great times at the Jersey shore. Rollie’s parents and her five siblings and their children (the McGinnis and Stein families), quickly became family to Joe.
Early on, Joe and Rollie lived in Cos Cob, CT, raising their three children, Rollie, Patty and Joe. They made many lifelong friends here. In 1979, Joe accepted a job promotion in San Francisco, and they moved to Moraga, CA. Joe has lived there ever since.
Joe was the quintessential company man. He retired from UnitedHealthcare (originally MetLife), after working there for 36 years. Early in his career, he served as Chair of the Young Lawyers Association (1971) and worked with the Nixon Administration on drug abuse prevention. He was an ardent employee who loved his work, especially when it came to collaborating with customers and colleagues. He considered them family.
Friends meant A LOT to Joe. They brought him immense joy and it was reciprocated. His relationships were lasting and enduring, near and far, from every walk of his life. He was a happy guy, always fun to be around (unless you were late, or the waiter was slow). He liked having good conversations and he sought them out. Some of Joe’s favorite times were at the dinner table (it had to be round!) sharing and caring over good food and wine. Cheers to you Joe!
Above all else, Joe was a family man. He loved being a husband, and a father, and eventually a Papa. His wife Rollie died before him. He is survived by his three children, and their spouses, and his beloved grandchildren: Rollie and Mark Killeen and their children Chris and Allison; Patty and Erich Studer and their daughter Ella; and Joe and Wonny Mullen and their children Milan and Jack. These were the loved ones at the top of his list every day.
Joe will be remembered most for his positive and encouraging nature, his warm embrace, his laugh, his wisdom, and most especially the way in which he loved freely, abundantly, and unconditionally. He will be missed immensely.
A memorial service to celebrate Joe will be held at St. Perpetua Church in Lafayette, CA on Friday, August 27 at 10:00 am.
In lieu of flowers and in honor of Joe and his late wife’s memory, contributions can be made to STAND! For Families Free of Violence – a cause very near and dear to their hearts. https://www.standffov.org/
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