June 5, 2013

Black River – Bishop Terry R. LaValley presided at the Mass of Christian Burial for Father Andrew R. Mulvaney, 70, May 30 at St. Paul’s Church.

Father Mulvaney died May 27 at Samaritan Medical Center Emergency Room from a massive stroke.  He had retired with failing health and resided at the Sisters of St. Joseph Motherhouse, Watertown. 

The priests of the diocese concelebrated the funeral  Mass with Father Patrick Ratigan, pastor of St.Cecilia’s, Adams, serving as homilist.

A private burial was in Castorland Union Cemetery in Castorland.

Father Mulvaney was born Dec. 17, 1942, in West Carthage, son of Ernest and Ruth Schantz Mulvaney.  He attended Beaver River Central School and Fr. Leo Memorial School, Croghan, graduating in 1960.

He attended Wadhams Hall Seminary from 1960-62 and continued his studies at Christ the King Seminary at St. Bonaventure University at St. Bonaventure before his ordination May 25, 1968 at St. Mary’s Cathedral by Bishop Thomas J. Donnellan.

Father Mulvaney’s first assignment was as assistant at St. Joseph’s Church in Malone, followed by assignments at St. Alphonsus, Tupper Lake; St. Mary’s, Champlain; Holy Family, Watertown; St. Joseph’s, Malone; St. Mary’s Cathedral, Ogdensburg;, and returning to St. Joseph’s, Malone. 

Father Mulvaney served as pastor of St. Martin’s Church, Port Leyden from 1977 until 1983.

In January of 1983, Father Mulvaney began his time with the U. S. Army as chaplain, at Fort Monmouth, N.J.  From there, he traveled to many sites including Germany, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Croatia, Macedonia, and Zagreb.  After he returned to the States, he served in Fort Jackson, SC, Fort Bliss, TX and finally Fort Drum, where he retired in January of 2003. 

Following retirement from the Army, Father Mulvaney was assigned as pastor of St. Paul’s Church, Black River and St. Rita’s in Deferiet, NY. until his retirement in 2012. 

During his time of military service, Father received a number of medals and/or awards of which he was justly proud:  the Armed Forces Service Medal, Bronze Star, five Meritorious Service medals, three Army Commendation Medals, Army Achievement medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, two National Defense Service medals, Southwest Asia Service Medal with three Bronze Service Stars, Army Service ribbon overseas (4), United Nations Medal/Kuwait Liberation Medal(K), Kuwait Liberation  Medal(SA) and Cold War Certificate.

Father Mulvaney is survived by a brother, Michael and his wife Maureen Keefe Mulvaney, a nephew Matthew K. Mulvaney, Rochester and a niece, Kate K. Mulvaney and husband Ashhok Ragawanarquo, Quincy, MA.

In lieu of flowers, Father Mulvaney requested that donations be given to the Sisters of St. Joseph, 1425 Washington St., Watertown, N.Y., 13601.