Dr.
Dr. Thomas F. Mulligan
September 23, 1933 – February 24, 2023
Tom Mulligan was born in Grand Forks, North Dakota, the third of ten children. Tom attended St. Alphonsus grade school and high school in Langdon, North Dakota, where he played basketball, baseball, and football.
In 1953, Tom left St. John’s University in Minnesota for the U.S. Army and served in the Far East with the 82nd Field Artillery Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division, until 1955. After playing football in the Army and Phoenix College, he met Maria Teresa de Blas from Caracas, Venezuela. They married in 1957 at the end of his first year of Marquette Dental School, where he received his D.D.S. In 1962, he graduated from Indiana University with a M.S.D. in Orthodontics, opening the door to his lifelong love and career of treating patients in private practice in Phoenix, Arizona, for 55 years.
Tom’s passion for the biomechanics of dentistry led to an incredible life of lecturing and teaching while still maintaining his private practice. In all he gave over 600 lectures and University courses in 32 countries on the subject. His publications on biomechanics include 25 articles in the Journal of Clinical Orthodontics, numerous articles in U.S. and foreign journals, and 3 books.
Tom’s family life was well lived. He and Teresa loved their 6 sons, 2 daughters, 22 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren, and all the spouses. He shared the joys of life with them through his love of flying, sailing, boating, and countless trips to San Diego and Mexico. He was a lover of people, always quick to start up a conversation with anyone, and loved to put a smile on their face – a true person who saw everyone as his equal.
However, more than anything, Tom loved God and lived his Catholic faith. He was always there to help and support the needy, especially the unborn. Through this devout man and daily Mass attendee, Heaven just gained another smiling soul.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be directed to The Society of St. Vincent de Paul – St. Francis Xavier Conference, Catholic Charities/MANA House for Veterans, or the Building Fund at St Rose Philippine Duchesne Catholic Community in Anthem.
Rosary prayers will begin at 5:00pm followed by a funeral Mass at 5:30pm on Friday, March 3, 2023 at Brophy Chapel, 4701 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix. Burial will take place the following day on Saturday, March 4, 2023 at 10:00am at St. Francis Catholic Cemetery, 2033 N. 48th Street, Phoenix. Condolences may be expressed at www.whitneymurphyfuneralhome.com
Tom Mulligan was born in Grand Forks, North Dakota, the third of ten children. Tom attended St. Alphonsus grade school and high school in Langdon, North Dakota, where he played basketball, baseball, and football.
In 1953, Tom left St. John’s University in Minnesota for the U.S. Army and served in the Far East with the 82nd Field Artillery Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division, until 1955. After playing football in the Army and Phoenix College, he met Maria Teresa de Blas from Caracas, Venezuela. They married in 1957 at the end of his first year of Marquette Dental School, where he received his D.D.S. In 1962, he graduated from Indiana University with a M.S.D. in Orthodontics, opening the door to his lifelong love and career of treating patients in private practice in Phoenix, Arizona, for 55 years.
Tom’s passion for the biomechanics of dentistry led to an incredible life of lecturing and teaching while still maintaining his private practice. In all he gave over 600 lectures and University courses in 32 countries on the subject. His publications on biomechanics include 25 articles in the Journal of Clinical Orthodontics, numerous articles in U.S. and foreign journals, and 3 books.
Tom’s family life was well lived. He and Teresa loved their 6 sons, 2 daughters, 22 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren, and all the spouses. He shared the joys of life with them through his love of flying, sailing, boating, and countless trips to San Diego and Mexico. He was a lover of people, always quick to start up a conversation with anyone, and loved to put a smile on their face – a true person who saw everyone as his equal.
However, more than anything, Tom loved God and lived his Catholic faith. He was always there to help and support the needy, especially the unborn. Through this devout man and daily Mass attendee, Heaven just gained another smiling soul.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be directed to The Society of St. Vincent de Paul – St. Francis Xavier Conference, Catholic Charities/MANA House for Veterans, or the Building Fund at St Rose Philippine Duchesne Catholic Community in Anthem.
Rosary prayers will begin at 5:00pm followed by a funeral Mass at 5:30pm on Friday, March 3, 2023 at Brophy Chapel, 4701 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix. Burial will take place the following day on Saturday, March 4, 2023 at 10:00am at St. Francis Catholic Cemetery, 2033 N. 48th Street, Phoenix. Condolences may be expressed at www.whitneymurphyfuneralhome.com
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