The Leader Vindicator

06/09/2010

John Joseph McNulty, 87, of Brockway, died Wednesday, June 2, 2010, at his home.

Born October 27, 1922, in Germantown, he was the son of Thomas and Elizabeth Gavaghan McNulty, immigrants from County Mayo, Ireland.

He was married to Janice R. McNulty. She preceded him in death in 2005.

Mr. McNulty was a 1940 graduate of Roman Catholic High School in Philadelphia, the first free Catholic high school for boys in America.
He was employed by the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia for a year before enrolling at Lock Haven State Teachers College in 1941.

Mr. McNulty enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1942 and was a veteran of World War II, having served with the 411th Infantry in the European Theater. He was a decorated combat infantryman.

After the war, he returned to Lock Haven and graduated in 1948. While in college, he lettered in two varsity sports and was a member of the Varsity Club and the Newman Club.

He began his teaching career at Brockway in 1948 and retired 45 years later, in 1993. He taught government, American history, driver education, and health and physical education.

Mr. NcNulty was head boys' basketball coach and athletic director for 35 years. In 1993, he was named Region 2 Athletic Director of the Year by the Pennsylvania Athletic Directors Association. He was named Brockway's Sportsman of the Year in 2004.

He was active in veterans affairs and served as commander and adjutant at Post 95 of the American Legion in Brockway.

Mr. McNulty was also active in community affairs and served on the Clarion University Board of Trustees, including several years as chairman.
He also served on the Jefferson County Industrial Development Authority, the Jefferson County Municipal Authority, Brockway Borough Council, Brockway Municipal Authority, Brockway Television Inc., and the Pennsylvania State Athletic Directors Association.

Mr. McNulty was a charter member of Brockway Little League and served for many years as chairman of the Patriotic Program of the Brockway Old Fashioned Fourth of July celebration.

He was a member of St. Tobias Catholic Church in Brockway, where he was past president of the Holy Name Society and was also a past lector and usher.

Mr. McNulty was a member of the Pennsylvania Association of School Retirees, Brockway Historical Society, Post 95 of the American Legion, Post 813 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Roman Catholic High School Alumni Association and the Lock Haven University Alumni Association.

He is survived by four children, Thomas of Homer City, John W. of DuBois, Bridget Swartzlander of Golden, Colo., and Deirdre of Brockway; several grandchildren; two sisters, Margaret Dougherty of Cape May, N.J., and Ann Ennis of Kissimmee, Fla.; and nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by a brother, Thomas; and four sisters, Mary McNulty, Alice Campbell, Katheryn Waters and Helen Jacobson.

Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Saturday June 5 at St. Tobias Church with the Rev. Msgr. Charles Kaza celebrant.

Interment was in St. Tobias Cemetery in Brockway.

Memorial contributions can be made to Lock Haven University or to the Hahne Cancer Center at DuBois Regional Medical Center, Hospital Avenue, DuBois, PA, 15801.