Brian Joseph Mulherin

Augusta, GA – Brian Joseph Mulherin, 92, loving husband of Neita H. Mulherin, entered into rest on Friday, February 19, 2016.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, February 23, 2016 at St. Mary on the Hill Catholic Church with Rev. Michael Hull celebrant.

A Vigil for the Deceased will be held at 6:00 PM on Monday, February 22, 2016 at St. Mary on the Hill Catholic Church. The family will receive friends following the service until 8:00 PM.

Born in Augusta, GA, Brian attended Mount St. Joseph Elementary School, the Academy of Richmond County and graduated from high school from Belmont Abbey in Belmont, NC. He received his bachelor’s degree in philosophy from St. Mary’s Seminary and University in Baltimore, MD. Upon completion of college in 1945, he enlisted in the Army as a private at the end of World War II and completed his service as a sergeant at the end of his 18 month enlistment. Returning to Augusta, he joined the Army Reserve where he served in the Medical Service Corps and retired in 1983 from a 34 year career with the rank of Colonel. He was a graduate of the Command and General Staff College, the Air War College, and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces.

Brian owned and managed Rock-A-Dry Baby Diaper service for 19 years before beginning a career with Georgia Regional Hospital in 1968. He was the Human Resource Director (Personnel Director) for over 30 years before retiring in 1999. After retirement, Brian continued to volunteer for the hospital, doing various hospital activities and public relations work.

He was known by many in the Augusta area for his involvement and leadership within the local community. He was a member of St. Mary on the Hill Catholic Church for over 80 years, where he served as lector, chairman of the Parish Council and fund raising and building and grounds committees. He was instrumental in the expansion of the church. He received the Diocese of Savannah, Bishop Gartland Service Award in 2006 and the 1996 National Catholic Educational Association Distinguished Graduate Award. He was a 4th degree member of the Knights of Columbus Patrick Walsh Council and Assembly 174 for 75 years, where he served as Faithful Navigator and attained the status of Honorary Life Member. Brian was a charter member of the Irish-American Heritage Society and the Augusta Chapter of the Ancient Order of Hibernians. He was a former board member for the Augusta Chapter of the American Red Cross, where he served as Disaster Services Committee Chairman from 1983 until 2005. He was awarded the American Red Cross Volunteer Service Award in 1991 and the Mary Lou Reynolds Award in 1995. Brian was a member of the Kiwanis Club of Uptown Augusta for over 50 years. He served as President from 1958-59 and Distinguished Lieutenant Governor from 1978-79. He was recognized with the Outstanding Kiwanis Leader Award in 1986 and was honored as a George F. Hixon Fellow of Kiwanis International in 1997. He was also a past board member of the United Way and was awarded the United Way’s Alvin W. Vogel Volunteer of the Year Award in 1994. Brian was or had been a member of the Board of the Senior Citizen’s Center, Augusta Richmond County Historical Society, Advisory Board of Brandon Wilde, Discovery Center, Friends of the Library, Friends of the Symphony, Historic Augusta, Mental Health Association of Greater Augusta, Augusta Alliance of the Mentally Ill, Greater Augusta Sports Council, Georgia Public Radio, Georgia Public Television, Morris Museum of Art, Gertrude Herbert Arts Association, and the Gracewood Credit Union for over 35 years. Brian was awarded the 2004 Outstanding Community Volunteer from the Augusta-Richmond County Partnership for Children and Families and was enrolled in the book of Golden Deeds of The Augusta Exchange Club in 2012. He was awarded the CSRA Mental Health Advocate of the Year Award from the Augusta Coalition for Mental Health in 2009, The Dr. Virginia Zachert Advocate of the Year Award from the Coalition of Advocates for the Aging in 2012, and The Eloise Woods Distinguished Service Award in 2013 for his contributions to the success of Georgia Credit Unions. Brian was a founding member of Augusta Chapter of the Military Order of the World Wars, serving as Chapter Commander and Chaplain. Brian received the MOWW Patrick Henry Patriotism Medal for his continuing contribution to the values stated in the preamble, and for tireless support given to the Augusta Chapter specifically in recognition as committee chairman for the commemoration of the World War II 50th Anniversary. He was also acknowledged with the dedication of the Brian J. Mulherin Human Resource Management Internship Program-SHERM by the Savannah River Area Society for Human Resource Chapter at the 50th Anniversary to honor his character, service, dedication, and positive influence. He and his wife, Neita, were recognized by the University Health Care Foundation Founders Remembrance Society, the Senior Citizens Council of Greater Augusta and the CSRA, and both were the recipient of the Jimmy Dyess Symposium’s Distinguished American Award. Both have spent much of their lives as advocates and volunteers for mental health.

Besides the many contributions Brian made, one of the things he enjoyed was his service as Santa. His appearances ranged from visits to the children of St. Mary School and the Exchange Club Children Christmas Party to the Rotary Clubs of Augusta as well the Georgia Regional Hospital Mayor’s Motorcade to mention a few. He was a lover of animals, the outdoors, motorcycles, and boating. At 63 he was a proud owner of a 1982 FL T80 Tour Harley Davidson motorcycle and is a member of the Harley Owners Group. He also has 1989 16 foot Sea Ray with original 145 horsepower outboard motor docked at Fort Gordon.

In addition to his wife, Neita, survivors include three sons, Brian “Bo” Mulherin, Jr. (Cathy) of Tallahassee, FL, Thomas Mulherin (Vicki) of Evans, GA, Richard Hill, Jr. (Paige) of Atlanta, GA ; five daughters, Nancy Bachelder (David) of Hilton Head, SC, Kathy Carroll (Michael) of Lanai, HI, Anita Shackelford (Dean) of Melbourne, FL, Mary Ruth Hamilton (Hugh) of Augusta, GA, Andrea Carey (Clifford) of Augusta, GA; 15 grandchildren, Kimberly Werner (Hunt), David Bachelder Jr. (Kathryn), Jessica Parks (Jonathan), Jay Crook (Hiller), Josh Crook (Erica), Lauren West, Alicia West (James), Natalie Thompson (Branford), Rachael Hamilton, Shelby Hamilton, Richard Plunkett (Caro), Andrew Plunkett, Charles Plunkett, Taylor Anne Hill, Richard Hill III; 10 great grandchildren, McCarty Beckerman, Zachary Beckerman, Silas Crook, Zoe Crook, Will Faircloth, Blake Werner, James Thomas IV, Ford Thompson, Henry Thompson, and Beckett Plunkett.

Mr. Mulherin was preceded in death by his parents, the late Joseph Louis Mulherin and Elizabeth Mahoney Mulherin, and by his first wife, the late June Nichols Mulherin; two daughters, the late Barbara Mulherin and the late Jeannie Mulherin.

Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Knights of Columbus Patrick Walsh Council and Assembly 174, Irish American Heritage Society, Augusta Chapter of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the Augusta Chapter of the Military Order of the World Wars, and the Kiwanis Club of Uptown Augusta.

If so desired, memorials may be made to Sacred Heart Cultural Center, 1301 Greene Street, Augusta, GA 30901 or St. Mary on the Hill Catholic Church, 1420 Monte Sano Ave, Augusta, GA 30904.