April 26 2019: MULHERN, James Patrick

James Patrick Mulhern (age 70)

James Patrick Mulhern, aged 70 passed away at home. He was born in June 1948 in Kingston PA, to Ed and Peg Mulhern.

JP, as he was known to all of his friends and family loved three things most in the world, his wife, his children/grandchildren and being a Mulhern. JP didn’t ever meet a stranger, only people who he had not had the opportunity to make his friends yet. He loved to tell a story and preferred to embellish whenever he could get away with it. If you had the pleasure to know him, you were a happier person for it. He always made those around him smile and laugh. And if you ever mentioned a project, he would show up at your door the next morning with his tool belt. There was never a swim meet that he didn’t enjoy and he never failed to give you directions if he thought you could use a hand.

JP was a master salesman with a work ethic like no other. It was the perfect job for him. It suited him to talk with people all day long, swap stories, tell jokes and brag about his family as well as his nine brothers and sisters. JP Mulhern believed in the old fashion way of business,  he made friends quickly,  he trusted a hand shake and he loved a great story. When he left work he could be found proudly wearing his extra large boy scout uniform, never forgetting the red neckerchief and socks with tassels. On weekends he lived to run a swim meet, it gave him a chance to wear both tube socks and a whistle at the same time.

One of the greatest things about JP is that he was a kid at heart. When he sang, he sang at the top of the his lungs, although he rarely knew the words. When he danced he made up moves rarely seen outside one’s kitchen. When he dove into a pool, he aimed for the biggest belly flop he could muster. And when he golfed he dipped low, wiggled his rear end and conveniently forgot how to add.

JP left behind his adored wife Jane after 48 years of marriage. He is survived by his four children, The “J” Team, Jessica (Dan) Heard, Julie (Wynn) Rasmuson, Jamie Mulhern and Jon (Jen) Mulhern.  He will be terribly missed by his brothers and sisters, Mary Margaret (Dave), Eddie (Becky), Marty (Pam), Pat (Karen), Joe (Lucy), Tom (Katie), John (Kim), Mike (Alison) and Kathy (Mike) and his countless nieces and nephews. He was loved dearly by his grandchildren Will, Brian, Paige, Colin and Shea. He loved them “Big as the World” and told them so every time he said goodbye.

Visitation for family and friends will be held Monday April 29th from 2-4 pm and from 7-9 pm at Collins Funeral Home, (Valet Parking) 500 University Blvd Silver Spring, MD 20901. Funeral services and Mass will be held on Tuesday April 30th at 11 am at St. Catherine Laboure, 11801 Claridge Rd., Wheaton, MD 20902.