Joseph Mulvey

Joseph Lawrence Mulvey passed away on September 4, 2025, with his family by his side in Charlotte, N.C. He was born on August 2, 1936, in Brooklyn, NYC, the son of Francis Xavier and Elizabeth (Conlon) Mulvey. The grandson of Francis and Jane (Farrell) Mulvey of CO Leitrim, Ireland, and New York City, and Patrick and Anna (McNamee) Conlon of CO Roscommon, Ireland, and Portland, Oregon.

The family will hold a burial service at St. Mary’s Cemetery, 4529 Howe Street in Oakland, California, at a later date.

Joseph attended elementary school and his freshman year of high school in Staten Island, NYC. In 1951, his family moved to Portland, Oregon, where he attended Central Catholic High School and subsequently Sacred Heart Academy, Klamath Falls, Oregon. He attended college at Oregon State University, U.C. Berkeley, and graduated from St. Mary’s College, Moraga, California.

Joseph was a sergeant and a guided missile electronic technician in the USMC. He was an eight-year member of the Berkeley, CA, police department. He served as a police advisor for the Agency for International Development, Office of Public Safety, in the Republic of Vietnam, rising to the position of Deputy 111 MACCORDS Public Safety Director. Joseph retired from the U.S. Department of Justice, where he served in a variety of assignments, from law enforcement specialist, regional director for the Law Enforcement Assistance Administration, national director of the High Impact Cities Crime Program, and Regional Inspector General. After retirement, he worked as the town manager of Cedaredge, Colorado, and subsequently as an elected member of the town council. During this period, he served as a volunteer, chairing the 7th Judicial District Law Enforcement Program, the Cedaredge Public Library, and the Delta County Housing Program. At the age of 81, Joseph became a published author. He published four novels and one children’s book.

Joseph, known as Joe to everyone who knew him, was a charismatic, kindhearted, strong, intelligent, and giving man. Once he met you, he never forgot your name or who you were. Joe was very proud of his service to his country and was the backbone of the family, always keeping up with everyone and making sure everyone stayed connected. No matter how far apart family members were, Joe kept in touch and kept everyone updated. His career enabled him to be part of and encounter many prominent historical figures and events throughout his lifetime. Some stories he told sounded too amazing to be true, but that was the best part; everything was true. Joe was beloved by his family and all who knew him. There is a quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson, “Every man is entitled to be valued by his best moments.” If this is true, then Joe Mulvey’s moments are far too vast to count. He made a difference everywhere he lived, everywhere he worked, and with anyone he encountered in his 89 years. 

Joseph and his wife, Marianne, who preceded him in death, were married on June 25, 1960, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Berkeley, California, and were married for 53 years. Their four children survive Joseph: Timothy Mulvey; Teresa and husband Donald Simmons; Sean and wife Sarah Mulvey; Colleen and husband Nelson Wixson. He is also survived by his 10 grandchildren, Kristy, Monica, Timothy, Sean, Shane; Andrea, Maria; Kayla and husband Michael Penn, Shea, and Mitchell. And three great-grandchildren, Peyton, Heiden; and Collins.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Joe’s honor to the following charities:

Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF: Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation): Donate

Shriners Hospitals for Children: Donate

Tunnel to Towers Foundation: Donate