Thomas Edward Mulhearn, Age 78, of Narragansett, RI, passed away at home surrounded by his loving family on Monday, January 6, 2025. Thomas was born on August 11, 1946, in Providence, RI and was the firstborn son of the late James and Emily (Lima) Mulhern.
Tom is survived by his devoted wife, Mary E. Mulhearn (Zubiaga), his daughter, Meredith Jane Mulhearn and husband Michael Gagliardi of Wellesley, MA, his son, Matthew Thomas Mulhearn and wife Sarah Hoffman of New York, NY, and his cherished grandson, Maaden Christopher Rooney. In addition, he is survived by his brother, James Mulhearn and wife Caroline of South Kingstown, and several nieces, nephews, a great-niece, and cousins.
Tom grew up in Providence and graduated from LaSalle Academy, class of 1964, and went on to Providence College, receiving a BA degree in Economics in 1968. Tom served in the Rhode Island National Guard, attending Officer Candidate School and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in 1970. He went on the transfer to the United States Army Reserves and retired as Lieutenant Colonel in the 76th DIV MTC after 28 years of service.
He was the Executive Vice President of the Rhode Island Association of REALTORS for 21 years, building the organization into an educational and community force. He lobbied at state and federal levels to preserve affordable housing opportunities and the rights of licensed real estate agents. He was honored for these efforts as recipient of the John E. Fogarty Award by the Rhode Island House of Representatives in 1989. He was also featured in a cover article of the Rhode Island Magazine as “Good Guy in a White Hat” in 1988 for his affordable housing efforts. Subsequently, Tom established the Independent Brokers Network, providing education and marketing services to over 100 small realtor firms throughout New England until retiring in 2009.
Tom was a parishioner of St. Thomas More Church in Narragansett. He was also a former member of the Rotary Club of Warwick. Thomas served as Treasurer of the St. Mary Academy-Bay View Parent Council, and served alongside his wife, Mary, as co-presidents of the Bishop Hendricken High School Parent Council in the 1990’s.
He loved spending time in his yard and garden nurturing a wide variety of vegetables, flowers and shrubs. His hobbies included kayaking, down-hill and cross-country skiing, golfing and travel. He was an avid reader, especially devouring books that featured historic political and military figures. He also was a devoted fan of Providence College Men’s Basketball, Providence College Men’s Ice Hockey, the Boston Red Sox, New England Patriots, Boston Celtics and Boston Bruins.
His Funeral will be held on Friday January 10, 2025, at 8:30 a.m. from the Barrett & Cotter Funeral Home, 1328 Warwick Avenue Warwick, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Joseph Church, 92 Hope Street, Providence at 10 a.m. Interment with Military Honors will be in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 550 Wampanoag Trail, Riverside. Visitation will be Thursday January 9, 2025, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (pancan.org).
Please visit www.barrettandcotter.com for online condolence
