Edward Mulhern - Obituary

d Mulhern, 95, of Annapolis, MD died peacefully in his sleep on January 28th at the home of his son, Marty, and daughter-in-law, Pam, in Jefferson, MD. Having lost his wife (Peg) of 65 years three years ago, he spent his final years surrounded by his many family members. He was especially blessed by the love and care provided by Marty and Pam, which made his final years joyful and faith-filled. He was born on October 13, 1918 in Forty Fort, PA, the son of the late James P. and Nora (Ginley) Mulhern. The youngest of five, he attended Bloomsburg College on a track scholarship, graduating with a degree in Education and Latin. Ed was a world-class sprinter and is a member of the Bloomsburg Hall of Fame. He won numerous marquee events, including multiple Penn Relays, the Millrose Games at Madison Square Garden, and the 1940 Olympic Development meet, a precursor to the, later cancelled, Olympic trials. Ed was a life-long educator, beginning with his alma mater, Forty Fort High School, where he taught English and coached track and wrestling. A member of the Greatest Generation, Ed volunteered for the US Army during WWII. Serving in the European theatre, he was part of the D-Day invasion of Normandy, fought in the Battle of the Bulge, and participated in the liberation of concentration camps. Ed returned from the War to the love of his life, Margaret McEnrue. He and Peg were married in June, 1946 in Kingston, PA. Together he and Peg became model parents of the Baby Boom generation, raising 10 children, with births spanning the years 1947-1961. Ed continued his education, receiving a Masters in Education from Bucknell University. Ed and Peg moved with their first five children to Rockville, MD in 1954, when he took a position teaching English at Richard Montgomery High School, the alma mater of all of his 10 children. Ed and Peg were long-time, active parishioners at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Rockville. He worked the balance of his career for the Montgomery County Public Schools. Ed became the Principal of Poolesville Elementary School and later of Poolesville High School. Ed later became an Administrator with the Montgomery County Board of Education in Rockville, serving in various leadership capacities, including the Director of Adult Education and of Career Counselling. With 10 children at home, Ed frequently worked numerous jobs. In his later years, Ed taught graduate-school programs, especially for teachers’ continuing education. Ed taught at Montgomery County Junior College, Bowie State, and Western Maryland (now McDaniel), becoming a full professor at Western Maryland before his retirement. Ed retired to spend his golden years with Peg and their growing family, including enjoying their beach house near Rehoboth. Along with his wife, Ed moved to Annapolis in 2003 and has been a parishioner of St. Mary's Church in Annapolis. He is preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, James, William, and John, and sister, Mary Haley. He is survived by his 10 children: Mary Margaret (David) McElheny of New Market, MD; James (Jane) of Wheaton, MD; Edward (Rebecca) of Sevierville, TN; Martin (Pam) of Jefferson, MD; Joseph (Lucy) of Annapolis, MD; Thomas (Katie) of Darnestown, MD; Patrick (Karen) of Nokesville, VA; John (Kim) of Ijamsville, MD; Michael (Alison) of Annapolis, MD; and Kathleen (Michael) Randolph of Annapolis, MD. As Pop-Pop, he was the grandfather to 31 and great-grandfather to 15 (and counting). Friends may call at the George P. Kalas Funeral Home, 2973 Solomons Island Rd., Edgewater, MD on Friday, January 31, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 109 Duke of Gloucester St., Annapolis on Saturday, February 1, at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be at St. Mary's Cemetery in Annapolis. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Mary’s Church, Rockville, 600 Veirs Mill Road, Rockville, MD 20852.