Rev. John D. Mulqueen

(GENEVA) - The Reverend John Davern Mulqueen, retired, of the Diocese of Youngstown has passed away peacefully after a brief illness while under hospice care at home at the Sanctuary of Geneva Assisted Living in Geneva, Ohio. Father Mulqueen served at many parishes throughout the Diocese over his long and faithful priesthood, impacting the lives of his parishioners in very special ways.

Fr. Mulqueen was born in Youngstown, Ohio, on February 8, 1935, to Joseph and Beatrice (Knauff) Mulqueen. He attended Saint Dominic Elementary School and Ursuline High School, graduating in 1953. With a strong Catholic foundation behind him, Fr. Mulqueen studied at Saint Gregory Seminary in Mount Washington, Ohio, and Saint Mary Seminary in Norwood, Ohio, from 1953 to 1962. Bishop Emmet M. Walsh ordained the new priest for the Diocese of Youngstown on May 26, 1962.

He served as an associate at Saint James Church in Warren, Ohio, from 1962 to 1967 and Saint Brendan Church in Youngstown, Ohio, from 1967 to 1970 while also teaching part time at Ursuline High School. He was a Maryknoll associate from 1970 - 1975, studying in Bolivia and working in Mexico to serve the poor and others in need. In 1975, he returned to Ohio and worked for Ashtabula Community Action in the Hispanic program, helping them to fulfill their mission "to alleviate poverty for low-income, under-resourced, and under-represented citizens in [Ashtabula] county". In 1976, Father Mulqueen was appointed associate at Assumption Church in Geneva while working part-time for the Catholic Service League of Ashtabula.

Fr. Mulqueen was pastor of three parishes: Saint Mary Church in Newton Falls (1980 - 1984), Mother of Sorrows Church in Ashtabula (1984 - 1995), and Saint Aloysius Church in East Liverpool (1995 - 2000). In 2000, he became senior associate at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Niles, Ohio. During this time, he also served in a pastoral role at Trumbull Correctional Institute.

He earned his B.A. from Atheneum of Ohio (1958), M. Div. from Atheneum of Ohio (1974), M.A. from Ashland Theological Seminary, Ashland, Ohio (1979) and D. Min from Saint Mary Seminary in Wickilffe, Ohio (2007).

Fr. Mulqueen also served the Diocese of Youngstown as a religious instructor in adult education, as an advocate of the Tribunal, and as a member of priests' senate and council. He retired in 2008 but continued to assist Our Lady of Peace parish and Ashtabula's Hispanic ministry.

While many might be in awe of the breadth of his accomplishments, Fr. Mulqueen's greatest gift was his humble service to any person he met. He was an incredible teacher: knowledgeable as well as passionate about Scripture study. He ministered in moments of joy and sadness with the utmost integrity and compassion. He was cherished by those who knew him. A fire of love for the Catholic Church and community has dimmed with his passing.

"Uncle John," as he was known to his family, was the beloved patriarch. He never forgot a birthday and afforded each the gift of his time. He was an unconditionally loving uncle who was witty, kind and fiercely devoted. Peanut butter was the staple in his diet, and he'd skip any meal to eat desserts.

He is survived by his only sister, Mary Ellen Walsh (Daniel, deceased) and three nieces, Suzanne Pompili (Vincent), Mary Knadler, and Franzi Walsh (John, deceased). He will also be dearly missed by four great-nieces: Amanda and Emily Walsh, Maria Wagner (Patrick) and Caroline Pompili.

All the services for Fr. Mulqueen will be held at Mt. Carmel Church-Our Lady of Peace, 1200 E. 21st Street, Ashtabula, friends may call on Wednesday, October 9, 2024 from 4 - 7 PM with Vespers at 7:00, and from 10:30 - noon on Thursday, October 10. Funeral Mass will begin at noon on Thursday. Please gather in the Mt. Carmel Community Center immediately following the funeral mass for a luncheon to celebrate his life.  Private family burial will be held at a later date.

Online obituary and a place to leave condolences can be found at www.czupfuneral.com.  The Czup Funeral Home along with Fr. Mulqueen's dear friends Bud Williams and Thomas Kane are honored to handle his funeral services.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in his name to the St. Vincent DePaul Food Pantry, 3312 Lake Avenue, Ashtabula, Ohio 44004.

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