Obituary of Thomas M. Mulcahy

It is with heavy hearts that we must announce the passing of Thomas Mulcahy, a long time resident of Denville, New Jersey, as well as Duck, North Carolina. Thomas passed away on March 4, 2023, in Morristown Medical Center after a long illness.

Born on September 15, 1948 to Catherine (Holian) and Harold Mulcahy, Tom spent his earliest years growing up in Jersey City until his family, including siblings Eileen (Mulcahy) Brogan, William Mulcahy and Daniel Mulcahy moved to Cranford. A lifelong Jersey guy with a soft spot for the beautiful beaches of North Carolina, Tom left his mark wherever he went. 

Thomas earned a B.A. from Fordham University and a J.D. from Seton Hall University Law School. During those years, he also served his country as a member of The National Guard. After graduating from law school, Tom served as a prosecutor in Hudson County, where he quickly gained a reputation for professionalism and tenacity in the courtroom. Tom continued his career by helping to establish the law firm of Purcell, Ries, Shannon, Mulcahy and O'Neill, eventually becoming Managing Partner.  As a successful lawyer for over 50 years, respected by his peers and prized by his clients, Tom never hesitated to offer his robust skill set to friends and family when needed. He also served as President of the Trial Attorneys of NJ, and later held a seat on its Board of Trustees.

When not arguing in court or defending clients’ interests, Tom could be found sharing his time with his community. In addition to coaching soccer and baseball, he served several terms on the Denville Board of Adjustment. He was a member of St. Catherine of Siena's Parish Council and was commissioned as a Eucharistic Minister. Tom spent his free time focused on sharing his passion for the Arts, golf, and the NY Football Giants. A true renaissance man, Tom appreciated books, music, film, concerts, and was a forty-year Manhattan Theater Club member. Tom was sought after as a golf partner for his putting skill and amiable companionship. Anyone who witnessed it will never forget his stellar putt to win the 2018 Member/Guest Tournament at Rockaway River Country Club. In his later years, his most treasured role was being Pop, sharing his time and love with his grandchildren.

No obituary could fully capture Tom's accomplishments and the lives he touched, for his legacy is in the relationships he built. To those lucky enough to have known Tom, he provided a wonderful example of a life well-lived. Tom was a devoted husband and friend to his wife for most of his life, having known each other since they were in 8th grade and together since they were 16 years old. He was always working for the benefit of his family. His children will remember him most for his immense generosity, having constantly offered up his time, advice, and love to family and friends. He was a true role model, and influenced many lives in positive ways, inspiring several contemporaries of his children to become lawyers, and many to be good people and good fathers. Those who knew him will carry his sense of humility, generosity, and kindness with them. 

He leaves behind his wife of 51 years, Kathleen Mulcahy, his children, Kaitlin Mulcahy and George Leuchs, and Conor and Christine Mulcahy, his grandchildren, Mairead Leuchs, Kevin Mulcahy, Kieran Leuchs, Clare Mulcahy, and Molly Mulcahy, his siblings, Eileen Brogan and William and Joann Mulcahy, his wife’s siblings, Nancy and George Malinowski, Maureen Hilla, Candy Smith, and Peter McAliney, and many loving aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins, colleagues, and friends. If you would like to put his memory into action, please consider donating to one of these organizations that supported him during his life. You can donate via inmemof.org. 

A Mass of Remembrance will be held on Friday, March 24th at 10:00 am at St. Catherine of Siena church in Mountain Lakes, followed by a Tom Mulcahy-worthy celebration of life.