Rev. John M. Mulligan

Fr. John Michael Mulligan, the first born of Mary and Charlie Mulligan, came into this world on June 28, 1938 and was baptized at St. Salome’s Church. Three brothers and a sister followed.

All five graduated from Sacred Heart School in Rochester. John attended St. Andrew's and St.

Bernard's Seminaries in Rochester and was ordained a priest June 6, 1964 during the Second Vatican Council. His early assignments included Ithaca, Corning and Auburn. On February 15, 1973 together with Fr. Jim Boyle, he was appointed Co-Pastor of St. John the Evangelist Church in Rochester where he served for 8 years. He became pastor of St. Stephen's Church in Geneva and also served as chaplain to Hobart and William Smith College. In 1983, he became the Director of the Urban Ministry Division of the Diocese established to assist the churches of Rochester during a time of rapid change. He also was named pastor of St. Anthony's parish in Rochester. In September 1998, he was appointed Vicar General by Bishop Clark in 1988 and became the Moderator of the Pastoral Center. At the same time, he was named a Consultor to the Diocese and a member of the Board of Directors of the Catholic Courier. He served as Vicar General for 12 years and also provided sacramental ministry to the parish of St. Joseph's in Rush for 10 years and Most Precious Blood in Rochester for 2. He was named Rector for Sacred Heart Cathedral in June of 2000 where he supervised a major renovation of the church.

He retired in June of 2005 and happily went to live at Most Holy Trinity where he worked as Senior Priest until 2024. He died at St. Ann's Home February 9, 2026. As a priest, John was kind, gentle and a peacemaker.

Perhaps due to his training as an Eagle Scout, he was an explorer all his life. With his fellow priests and brothers, he travelled by RV, train, canoe, bicycle, plane, on skis, and on foot. He went north to the slopes of Denali and the Boundary Waters, south to Torres de Paine in Chile, east to the Camino de Santiago, and West to the Canadian Rockies. He owed a special debt of gratitude to Fr. Roy Kiggins as his cartographer.

He is survived by his brother Charlie (Geri) of Maryville, TN; his sister Mary Burkwit (Bob) of Webster, NY and their children Mary (deceased), Charlie (Carol), Elizabeth (Kevin), Sarah (Z), Rebecca, and Margaret (Tim); his brother Jerry (Judy) of East Hampton NY and his children Julie (Chris), and John (Sasha); and Tom (Carolyn) of Far Hills, NJ and their children Patrick (Barbara), Brian (Anna) and Katie (Dan). There are 15 great nieces and nephews. The family also wishes to express great thanks to Sr. Mary Ann Binsack for her friendship and care.

Father will lie in state at Holy Trinity Church, 1460 Ridge Road Webster, NY 14580, Sunday 1:30 PM - 4 PM followed by Vespers at 4 PM, celebrated by Bishop Salvatore Matano. On Monday, friends may call 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM concluding with the Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 celebrated by Bishop Salvatore Matano live stream Interment Holy Sepulchre Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Canandaigua Lake Watershed Association 144 Mill Street, Canandaigua, New York 14424 or Families Thrive 176 Anderson Ave, Suite F202 Rochester, NY 14607.