Celebrate Life & Honor Every Memory


Hugh Francis Mulligan

July 11, 1937 - January 12, 2024

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Obituary For Hugh Francis Mulligan

PEABODY — Hugh Francis Mulligan, 86, of Marblehead, died peacefully with family on Friday afternoon, Jan. 12, 2024 at his son’s home following an extended illness.

Born in Peabody MA, Hugh was the husband of Katherine (Femino) Mulligan and the son of the late Patrick Mulligan and Rosanna (Higgins) (Mulligan) Hodgedon.

He grew up in south Peabody and graduated with the class of 1954 at St. Mary’s in Lynn. After he graduated from Salem State College with a B.S. Ed. in Math and Science, he taught in the Peabody Public Schools until 1958. He then continued his education in the environmental sciences at the University of Rhode Island, and Cornell University in Ithaca, NY, where he earned a Ph.D. in Botany and Plant Biology and worked as an Assistant Professor of Aquatic Studies. In 1970, Hugh and his family moved to Durham, NH where he continued working in education as an Associate Professor of Botany at UNH until 1978 when he and his family finally settled in Marblehead, MA. While living in Marblehead, Hugh became a true environmentalist. He worked as an environmental scientist, and established his own environmental consulting company, Gulf of Maine Research Center Inc., in 1983. He ran the company with his son Patrick until his retirement in 2012. He served on conservation committees and worked with the team of environmentalists who successfully re-established the Osprey breeding grounds by constructing nests atop the Salem Harbor day-markers. He also stayed close to his teaching roots by serving on the Board of Trustees for Salem State College. Beyond his environmental stewardship, Hugh was an avid golfer and an active member of the Salem Country Club in Peabody. He especially loved golfing with his grandchildren. In his retirement, Hugh enjoyed being with family. He dined with them at the Marblehead Yacht Club overlooking the water, enjoyed sharing the beauty of Italy with his grandchildren, and loved to feast on lobster at Winter Island while watching the Patriots games with friends and family.

He is survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Ann and Anthony Bettencourt of Danvers, MA ; his son and daughter-in-law, Patrick and Susan Mulligan of Salem, MA.; his daughter and son-in-law, Kathleen and Jason Dilisio of Swampscott, MA. He is also survived by 4 grandchildren, Tyler and Laurel Mulligan, and Chase and John Dilisio as well as many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother, John “Jack” Mulligan.

ARRANGEMENTS: Visiting hours will be held at the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, 82 Lynn St., Peabody Tuesday, on Jan. 23, 2024 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. with a service to follow in the funeral home at 2:00 p.m. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. If you would like to make a donation in lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in memory of Hugh Francis Mulligan to support cancer research and patient care at: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284 or via dana-farber.org/gift.

Services

23 Jan

Visitation

11:00 AM - 02:00 PM

Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home 82 Lynn Street Peabody, MA 09160 Get Directions »
23 Jan

Funeral Service

02:00 PM

Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home 82 Lynn Street Peabody, MA 01960 Get Directions »
by Obituary Assistant

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Condolences

  • March 11, 2024

    I was saddened to read about Hugh's passing. He was important in my life. I studied under Hugh as a graduate research assistant in the early 1970s at UNH. I had a degree in English Literature, but had taken enough science classes to be accepted into graduate school in botany. Hugh was very kind and offered me an assistantship to study the environmental effects of underwater mining in the Gulf of Maine. After graduation I worked as an environmental scientist on projects all over the world. Hugh made my career possible. I had lunch with him several times when I was working in Boston in the 1990s. He was always upbeat and fun to talk to He was a really nice person. He will be missed. I am sorry for your loss.

  • January 22, 2024

    Rita and I send our sympathy to Katerine and the family. Hugh and I spent our early years caddying and working on the greens crewat Salem Country Club and commuting on the bus to St. Mary's. In our adult years we enjoyed playing golf together and often with Rita and Katerine. Hugh was a wonderful friend and will be missed dearly.Ed Collins

  • January 20, 2024

    Dear Kay, Margaret and I send our condolences to you and your family at the passing of Hugh. I have so many wonderful memories of the years at Salem State. He was the person who drove me to and from college. He was prompt, humorous, and a great conversationalist. Mull was a consistent contributor to many activities and special events at Salem. During his impressive career in higher education, he extended his talents to assist in the planning of many successful reunions that celebrated the Class of "58". I will never forget his smile, good will, enthusiasm, diverse interests and friendship. May he rest in peace. Love, Dick and Margaret Connors

  • January 19, 2024

    Dear Kay, Joe and I were so sorry to hear about Hugh's passing. We have wonderful memories from Pitman Road Ext. and Joe remembers playing golf with Hugh at Salem CC.

  • January 18, 2024

    Sincere sympathy to you Kay and his sister Ann and to all the family on the sad passing of Hugh. He was a kind , caring man who loved meeting all his cousins in Ireland as well as America. I have pleasant memories of his visits to Ireland the home of his mother's birth in Battlefield, Culfadda. May his gentle soul Rest In Peace . John &Kathleen Higgins.

  • January 17, 2024

    My wife, Gracia, and I extend our sympathy to Patrick, Kathleen, Ann and the extended Mulligan family, on the loss of Hugh Francis (Frannie). Growing up in Dedham, our mother, Peggy Mulligan Carr, loved to visit Peabody and spend time with her brother, Uncle Pat, Rose, Jack, Frannie, Ann & extended family. Those were wonderful times! Later on, Frannie hired out the 4 teenage Carr boys to excavate an area under his summer cottage on Rye Beach, NH. With pick and shovel, we made Frannie proud that week, although our family car, a Chevy Nova, was never the same after being converted into a large boulder dragger! Whether it was discussing our Mulligan family roots in Fermanagh, Irish music, the sport of golf, or the ocean, Frannie was always knowledgeable and engaged. He certainly gave of himself in this world and I'm sure his good deeds have been rewarded as he sits on the right hand of the Lord, at peace. May his memory be a blessing to all! Jim Carr and family, Manchester, MA

Tributes

  • Red and White Handled Basket

    Brian Mulligan sent Red and White Handled Basket for Hugh Francis Mulligan - January 20, 2024

    Our deepest sympathies for Uncle Hugh. Please know that he is in our prayers as is the family. We wish we could attend to celebrate his incredible life. - Brian/Amy Mulligan and Family

  • Beautiful Dreams

    Dave Mulligan sent Beautiful Dreams for Hugh Francis Mulligan - January 19, 2024

    With fondest memories from your nephew Dave Mulligan and family.

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