MULLAHEY, THOMAS F., JR.

Thomas Francis Mullahey passed away peacefully in Santa Rosa, California April 2, 2002 at age 82. Tom was a third generation Irish-American born in San Francisco. He lived in Honolulu, San Francisco, New York, Guam and Shanghai in his formative years. Tom received a B.A. from Georgetown University, Class of 1941, as an American History major. He was a 25-year resident of Marin County and lived 16 years in Oakland, moving to Santa Rosa in September 2001 to be closer to his daughter.

In May 1942 Tom entered the Marine Corps and eventually became one of Edson’s Raiders. He collaborated on a book that was recently published about this band of men. One of Tom’s duties as a lieutenant, and later as a company commander, was to write letters of consolation to the families of Marines in his unit who were killed in action. He commanded 30 men in his platoon as a 1st and 2nd lieutenant. As a captain he provided leadership to a company of 180 men. He received 2 letters of commendation for his service in Guadalcanal and on the island of New Georgia. Once active duty was completed Tom went through Command and Staff School at Quantico, VA. He was later ordered to join the faculty there and taught combat intelligence. Tom remained there until the end of the war. He resigned his commission in May 1947 and rejoined the Corps in the reserves as a major. He retired as a colonel in the 1960s.

His private employment included public relations work for the Hawaii Employers Council and freelance writing and producing in television. He came back to San Francisco in 1952 and continued this freelance work while serving as the director of public affairs for KRON TV. Tom also worked on documentaries, did voice-overs and some reporting, including reading the sports during a strike in the late 60s. He left KRON in 1974 and worked as an executive speech writer and management trainer for Bechtel until his retirement in 1985.

Tom played baseball, football, tennis, lawn bowling and golf. He traveled extensively and knew smatterings of a few languages. He was an avid reader and sports fan. He enjoyed playing bridge.

Tom exuded the spirit and pride of a Marine until the end. He was a great gentleman, had great intelligence and a breadth of knowledge that was very much admired. More importantly, he was an outstanding provider for his small family and will be greatly missed by his daughter, Vicki Mullahey Thiele of Santa Rosa and former wife, Joan Mullahey.

No services will be held at his request. Memorial contributions in his name can be made to the Georgetown University Alumni Fund, 3604 O Street NW, Washington, DC 20077-3305 or to a favorite charity.