Francis A. Mullen
Passed away at the age of 83 on July 27, 2014. He was born June 22, 1931 in Boston, MA, first-generation American son of Francis and Margaret (Browne). Predeceased by his parents, wife Katherine Ann (Brady), sister Marie (Bellevue) and nephew Michael Stack.
Frank grew up in the Back Bay near the banks of the Charles River, where he loved to play hockey when the river froze in winter. He matriculated through Boston High ('49) and Boston College ('53), after which he served our country in the Marine Corps as a second lieutenant, serving time in the Korean Conflict ('54-'55).
In 1956, Frank left Boston for Cleveland, OH where he found work with the Ramset division of Olin Matheson, concentrating on manufactured fastening tools. This led him to Los Angeles, and eventually to San Francisco, where he assumed the lead sales manager for Northern California and Nevada, and more importantly, to a stunning and vibrant native San Franciscan named Ann Brady. They wed on October 11, 1958.
There followed in quick succession five children between 1959 and 1964. By 1968, Frank had joined Dean Lewis Associates, where he served as a sales representative and leader of the company for the following 35 years. These years also saw the addition of two more children, and the Mullen family of Parkwood Drive in Daly City hummed with the organized chaos of a typical Irish Catholic brood. Frank served many roles at Our Lady of Mercy Parish, including President of the Men's Club, lector, usher and expert Bingo caller every Thursday night.
Frank was ultimately a man of deep Christian faith. His eloquent words of grace at all family functions were inspiring and deeply felt, and he leaves an indelible impression on his children and grandchildren that the true measure of a person is not in what he has, but what he has to offer.
He is survived by his admiring children Chris (Laura), Janice, Liz, Brian (Noreen), Jim (Carroll), John (Melissa) and Katie (Toby); younger siblings Mike, Peggy (Reilly), and Tommy; and 13 adored grandchildren Scott, Nicole, Meredith, Jeffrey, Natalie, Annemarie, Madison, Rose, Margaret, Brendan, Ryan, Matthew and Samantha. Also survived by sisters-in-law Joan Carella and Sally Brady, O.P, and his niece Karen (Ross) Catanzarite and their children Doug, Joey and Katie.
Donations accepted in Frank's memory to the Dominican Sisters of San Rafael, 1520 Grand Avenue, San Rafael, CA 94901.
Family and friends are invited to attend the Memorial Mass Tuesday 10:30am at Our Lady of Mercy Church, 5 Elmwood Dr., Daly City. Private Committal at Holy Cross Cemetery.