Obituaries

James Mulvaney (Veteran)

Photo of James Mulvaney (Veteran)
James Patrick Mulvaney, 78, died Tuesday, April 3, 2012, at his home in St. Louis. Before he began his public service quest, Jim was a milk truck driver for various dairies. In 1960, he was elected as Alderman for Flordell Hills in St. Louis County, where he served for six years. Mulvaney was then elected in 1966 to Missouri's House of Representatives and served four more terms. In 1973, he sponsored the milestone legislation, which required Missouri's public schools to provide to all handicapped and severely handicapped children up to the age of 21, as an integral part of the state's system of public education, special education services sufficient to meet the needs and maximize the capabilities of handicapped and severely handicapped children. As a legislator, his service as Consumer Protection Committee Chairman and member of both the Judiciary and Workmen's Compensation Committees, earned him the "Meritorious Public Service Award" from the former St. Louis Globe-Democrat. In 1975, Governor Christopher S. Bond appointed Mulvaney to the Public Service Commission. In 1977, Governor Joseph P. Teasdale named him Chairman of the Commission, where his service on the commission earned him the reputation as "Champion of the Little Guys." He was selected by President Jimmy Carter in 1978 to work for the United States Department of Labor where he was instrumental in the campaign to develop the St. Louis Job Corp program that has successfully provided job training to thousands of area youth. In 1981, Mulvaney was employed as a lobbyist, first for the Bi-State Development Transit, and later as an independent lobbyist for The Missouri Credit Union and several health management organizations. One of his most committed efforts was on behalf of the mentally disabled at the Bellefontaine Habilitation Center in North St. Louis County. While in the legislature and after he left, he worked tirelessly to pass mental health legislation, obtain additional funding for mental health facilities and improve the St. Louis State School and Hospital. For his outstanding efforts, the House of Representatives in 1998 passed a resolution stating: "Now, therefore, be it resolved, that in tribute and respect for Jim's efforts on behalf of the mentally disabled citizens of Missouri, the members of the Missouri House of Representatives of the Eighty-ninth General Assembly, Second Session, the Senate concurring therein, hereby declare that the Christy Apartment Building of the Bellefontaine Habilitation CenterÖshall hereafter be known as the James P. Mulvaney ApartmentsÖ" Jim never accepted retirement and worked part-time for Centene Corporation, a Medicaid healthcare organization that provides healthcare for the less fortunate. He also worked weekly for the Meals on Wheels Program delivering food to in-bound St. Louis residents and volunteered at the St. Augustine Wellston Center. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Elizabeth "Betty" Mulvaney. He was the loving father and father-in-law of Sharon (Kent) Topliff, Pam (Dave) Meyer, Kelly (Ed) Stufflebean, Jane Lorhan, Jim (Laurie) and Pat (Kirsten) Mulvaney; loving grandfather of Jessica, Zac, Hannah, Mike, Bryan, Chris, Jeff, Faith, Paul, Chloe, Amanda, James, Annie, Maggie, Connor, MaryKate and great-grandfather of Riley; dearest brother of Jerry (Wendy) Mulvaney; dear brother-in-law, uncle, great-uncle, cousin and friend to many. Services: A Memorial Gathering will be on Monday, April 9, at BUCHHOLZ SPANISH LAKE Mortuary, 1645 Redman Avenue, St. Louis, from 1:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. A Memorial Mass will be Tuesday, April 10, 11:00 a.m. at Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Catholic Church, 1050 Smith Ave., Ferguson, MO 63135. In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to St. Augustine Wellston Center, P.O. Box 11969, St. Louis, MO 63112. Online guestbook at www.buchholzmortuary.com.

Published April 6, 2012