Obituary of Robert W Mullen

Robert W Mullen, 72, of North Dartmouth, MA died at home after a long and courageous battle with complications of diabetes. He celebrated his 50th wedding anniversary in 2011, with his college sweetheart, Marcia (Keller) Mullen. He was a loving father and role model for his four children. He is survived by his daughter Sherri and her husband Brien of Bartlett, IL; his son Scott and wife Luara of Bettendorf, IA; his daughter Kelly and her husband Paul of Doylestown, PA; and his son Robert and his wife Barbara of Skippack, PA. He was also an extremely proud grandfather of thirteen unique and wonderful grandchildren. He maintained a close relationship with his only brother Andrew M Mullen Jr. and wife Mary of Palatine, IL. He also enjoyed the friendship of his brother-in-law Robert Simonini and late sister-in-law Karen (Keller) Simonini of Crystal Lake, IL. His four nieces were all very close and loved. He began his life in Newark, Ohio. He was the eldest son of the late Andrew M Mullen and Helen (Meisel) Mullen. His roots however, were in the Philadelphia area and the "shore" at Cape May, NJ. During his childhood, there would be an annual summer vacation at the New Jersey beaches. He continued this tradition with his wife and children, and eventually all of his thirteen grandchildren. His burial is therefore appropriate at Cape May. Bob's outgoing personality was manifested in his choice of careers. He loved coaching men's basketball and was rewarded with 8 conference championships at Galena High School in Galena, IL and a trip to the NAIA finals while coaching at Loras College in Dubuque, IA. However, there was more than a win-loss record that bound him to his players. He cared for each one personally and they responded in kind. These were "happy days". As a director of Athletics, his administrative honors included being Chairman of the Big Five in Philadelphia, Member of the NCAA Nominating Committee, and National Voting Delegate to the United States Olympic Committee. He was also very pleased to bring football back to Loras College and secure membership in the Atlantic 10 Conference for LaSalle University. During his tenure at U-Mass Dartmouth, Bob was responsible for Shrine Day and the Annual Cross Country Invitational, the Hampton Inn Basketball Classic, Parent's Day, the Presidents Cup Football Classic, and the ABC television show "Corsair Sports". He also secured a grant for the National Youth Sports Program from the NCAA for area youth. In his final days, his family made several trips to visit him. They indulged him with his favorite foods along with words of love and encouragement. He was also cheered by phone calls from his former players, both from Galena High School and Loras College. It filled him with pride to hear of their successes in life. Old friends remained true and kept in close contact during this time. Newer friends were able to be at his bedside enjoying conversation, food, and TV with him. He was blessed! His funeral Mass will be held at 10 AM on Thursday, March 29, 2012 at St Mary's Church in South Dartmouth, MA 02747. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 PM Wednesday, March 28th at Saunders-Dwyer Funeral Home, 495 Park St, New Bedford, MA. Burial will take place at St Mary's Cemetery, 1056 Seashore Rd, Cape May, NJ 08204; after a memorial service at the Evoy Funeral Home, 3218 Bayshore Rd, North Cape May, NJ 08204 at 10 AM on Saturday, March 31, 2012. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association.