Joseph F. Mulvihill

Joseph F Mulvihill, age 71 of Wayne, died suddenly on Wednesday,  September 14, 2021. Joe has lived in the Wayne and Clifton areas for the vast majority of his life.

Joe graduated from Wayne Valley High School with the class of 1968 and went on to earn his bachelor’s degree from St. Peters College. Joe loved going to live concerts, mostly front row for the the Kinks, the Who and the Bee Gees.  However, his heart was always with the Rolling Stones, even seeing them live on the Ed Sullivan show in 1967 with the infamous lyrical adjustment “let’s spend (some time) together” and also naming his first born after guitarist Keith Richards.  Joe long cherished a pair of drum sticks thrown by none other than Keith Moon that fondly became the basis of one of his favorite stories, centered around his daughter Ralene using them to stir paint to make a sign for her garage sale.  Live music was a staple in many of his tales, almost as much as classic movies.

Joe was a caring father to his six children despite many challenges life threw his way.  Somehow he never missed a game during the years, be it football, soccer, basketball or baseball.  He was an incredible story teller, and many of his stories were embellished right to the brink of the unbelievable.  However, no stories brought out the smile on his face like those of his parents, Bob and Leona.  Whether it was the witty tales of Camp Olympic or Camp Saint Joseph’s, the family bus trip down to Florida with his parents and seven brothers and sisters or stories of the fun times during Nickle Night at Beartrand’s Island, Joe cherished the nostalgia provided by his loving parents.  Joe was a legend to so many people and his signature outfit consisting of the black trench coat, dark sunglasses and gloves were truly unique. Despite the sometimes intimidating exterior, Joe was a peaceful, loving man at heart and he will be missed dearly by many.

Joe is survived by his loving siblings; Ellen and her husband Tim Monahan, his late sister Diane and her husband Peter (Hugger) Wilson, Mary and her late husband Kevin Brophy, Christine and her husband David Jablonski, Laura Iurato, Dr. Robert Mulvihill and his wife Rosanne and Stephen Mulvihill and his wife Susan; his five children; Keith Mulvihill and his wife Jennifer of Freehold,  Jason Mulvihill and his wife Leah of White Township, Rosalee Mulvihill of Wayne, Kelliann Douglas and her husband Blake of Illinois and Nicole Mulvihill of Florida; his lifelong companion Jill Bonadies and her daughter Cara of Clifton as well as his thirteen grandchildren; Kylie, Cole, Reese, J.J., Myles, Nathan, Vivian, Al Monte, Rianna, Alxavier, Logan, Cierra, and Harrison along with nine great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his mother and father, Leona and Robert Mulvihill, brother in law Kevin Brophy, sister Diane Wilson, his daughter Ralene Smith and his wife Terry Mulvihill, all of whom forever hold a special place in the hearts of the entire family.