PLYMOUTH, Mass. – Thomas R. Mulkern, Jr., 87, passed away peacefully at home on Oct. 7, 2023 surrounded by his family who cherished him.

Tom was born on Sept. 24, 1936 to Thomas R. Mulkern, Sr. and Jane (Roach) Mulkern in Portland. He grew up on Peaks Island and attended Portland High School graduating in 1954. During his high school years he was active in football, baseball and basketball and was known around campus as the “strong and silent one”. He later graduated from The Wharton School of Business in 1958.

He was in the U.S. Navy ROTC in college and later joined the U.S. Marine Corps completing his officer training at Quantico, Va. He completed his service in 1961 ranked as first lieutenant.

Tom pursued a career in human resources and worked for RCA, Random House and The Gillette Co. in South Boston, Mass. Tom met his wife, Susan at Gillette and after a few years, they were married in Santa Barbara, Calif. Tom then worked for Gillette/Paper Mate Division, Santa Monica, Calif., as director/personnel. A bit of humor here, as the word from the Gillette folks was that “the marriage will never work”! Tom was very proud that he shared his life with Susan in love, harmony and respect and was working toward a 50-year anniversary!

Tom’s career then brought him to Poughkeepsie, N.Y. where he was director/HR for DeLaval Separator, now Alfa Laval. On to Ramsey, N.J. to join Pezrow Corp., a food/non-food service broker as vice president of HR. He retired from Pezrow in 2001 and Tom and Susan moved to Plymouth, Mass. where they have resided for 23 years.

He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Susan (Brown) Mulkern; his son, Michael and his wife Lindsay and his granddaughters, Madison and Ashley; his daughter, Kara (Mulkern) Papaefthimou and

her husband Alex and his grandson Niko. Also, much loved and to be mentioned is Tom’s mother-in-law, Carolyn Brown. He is also survived by his sister whom he adored, Barbara (Mulkern) Carmone of Portland and her children, Kyle Carmone, Erica Carmone, Jeremy Carmone and his wife Patty and Andy Carmone and her husband Sarthak Das. Tom’s brother, Bill Mulkern, also of Portland predeceased him. Tom also had many grandnephews and grandnieces whom he enjoyed.

The family will be receiving visitors from 11 a.m to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 21 at Cartmell-Davis Life Celebration Funeral Home, 373 Court St., North Plymouth, Mass.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Tom’s name to

Wounded Warrior Project,

P.O. Box 758516,

Topeka, KS 66675

Copy the Story Link