Thomas Mulherin

Thomas “Tom” Robert Mulherin, born April 17, 1947, in Grand Falls, New Brunswick, of a WWII airman and his war bride, died November 27, 2022, in Perth-Andover, New Brunswick, from the ‘complications’ that accompany end-stage dementia.

Tom spent a mischievous childhood in Blue Bell, NB as part of a family of 10, exploring the local woodlands, hopping trains, skating on the nearby pond, doing Elvis impressions and growing up in the family’s general store. As a teenager, he loved cars and described automotive adventures (mostly with his brother, Geoff) that could only be described as illegal, irresponsible–and lots of fun, in a manner that no longer exists. His father dangled an irresistible, horsepower-rich carrot when Tom was 16 and gave him a new car if he would quit school to go to work in the family business. With a sweet ride and a pocketful of cash, Tom would roar around the village in search of adventure and his other newfound love: girls. He met a young lady from Plaster Rock, Susan Everett, at the Arthurette dance hall, after Susan convinced her of-age friends to take her along on that fateful night. As the music faded to the background and the revelers on the dance floor parted, their eyes met across the crowded room and the rest, as they say, is none of our business.

By this time, the Mulherin clan had moved their lives and business to Plaster Rock and Tom and Susan settled into family life, Tom working for the new family business and Susan chasing around first, Todd, then, in quick succession, Michael. Tom was a devoted and enthusiastic father, who loved showing his boys how to throw a ball, shoot a gun, do mental math, run a billiards table, paddle a canoe, get their father a beer and generally how to fully squeeze the juice out of life. Tom and Sue hosted countless gatherings and events and shared their lives with family and friends alike. Friends of Todd and Michael also gravitated to the Mulherin household and became fast friends with Tom and Sue alike. Tom specialized in having fun and spreading it to others, whether at home, on the golf course, in a canoe, on the baseball diamond or the ski hill–pretty much anywhere he went really. It’s been said that Tom was “known to sometimes celebrate too much–but never too little”. This led to him having a social gravity that drew in friends by the bushel and always fostered laughter and fun. Life was full of work and play, but the focus was definitely on the latter (often he showed a rare ability to combine the two). He loved his family, but also his friends, both near and far, who truly were a second family (you know who you are). The Mulherin household became a destination for friends of Tom and Sue & also of their sons and all felt like part of a fun loving family when they were there.

Mulherin's Save-Easy was his life’s work and he was very proud of the business he and Susan built after taking it over from his parents in the 70’s. “The Store” was a centerpiece of the community and gave the family a chance to work together for many years. They sold the store and retired in 1999, after which Tom took to the golf course, the local woodlands (again) and the Tobique river (mostly without getting wet). Grandchildren came next and Tom took on the role of “Grampie” enthusiastically and lovingly. Always having had a soft spot for kids, he was overjoyed to have his own grandkids to pour his love into. He and Susan even moved to the Arctic following the birth of their second grandchild, to live with Michael and family for a year of adventure and family time. He also loved his later-life faithful companion, Sumi, the brown Labrador retriever who was the last ‘person’ his memory let go.

His last chapter was interrupted by Alzheimer though, even through that, he managed to remain kind-hearted and fun, charming the staff at the nursing home with (often inappropriate) jokes, dancing and stories, all of which revealed his true core, his superpower: joy.

So, when you see someone playing with a toddler, making them laugh; or someone dancing like nobody's watching; or when you hear someone telling a joke, even a bad one, and laughing infectiously; or someone giving love like they don't care if they get hurt, think of Tom. And, if you can carry anything of him along with you as you move through life, maybe having known him will add to your gift of having and spreading joy, too.

He is survived by his wife Susan (Everett), 2 sons Todd (Hayley) and Michael (Kathleen) and 5 grandchildren, Linus, Kat, Henry, Callum and Kohan, and an extended family of brothers and sisters and nieces and nephews and dear friends. Also survived by his sisters, Donna Mulherin and Linda Mulherin; his brothers, Douglas (Murielle), Daniel, Patrick (Crystal), and William (Angie); and his sister-in-law, Sheila Mulherin.

Tom was predeceased by his parents; his brother Geoffrey; and his sister-in-law, Cindy Mulherin.

A celebration of Tom's life will be held on Saturday, July 15, 2023, at the Royal Canadian Legion in Plaster Rock from 2-4 pm.

Donations, in lieu of flowers, can be made in Tom’s memory to either of Friends of Mount Carleton Provincial Park through Paypal, or the Alzheimer Society of Canada through their website, www.alzheimer.ca.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brunswick Funeral Home, Perth-Andover and Plaster Rock.