Richard "Dick" Maurice Mulcahy

Our sweet and beloved dad, Richard Maurice Mulcahy of Butte, Montana, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 30, 2020 surrounded by his children Richy, Margie, Frances and Charlie. He was 91 years young. Born August 9, 1929, the fifth of thirteen children, to Thomas (Tity) and May Mulcahy. He attended Butte's St. Mary's Grade School and Boy's Central High School. While in high school he worked at McKee Printing and Mulcahy's Bar. Joined the Navy Reserve right out of high school and was drafted into the Army in 1951.

That same year he married Helen Claire Shannon at St. Patrick's Church. The following day he had to report for duty at Fort Flagler in Port Townsend, Washington. His unit was practicing amphibious landings for potential invasion of what is now North Korea. He was transferred to Camp Desert Rock in Nevada and was trained as a demolition specialist. He participated in 8 above ground nuclear bomb detonations. He loved the Army.

After his separation from the military, they moved to Seattle and started a family. While in Seattle he entered the sheet metal trade as an apprentice becoming a journeyman in 1958. He was a member of Sheet Metal Workers Locals 99 and 66 for 62 years. He was a union delegate and traveled to Washington D.C. In 1972, his career took him to Point Barrow, Alaska where he worked on several construction projects throughout the state. He was a very hard worker whether it be on the job or building a playhouse for his girls. He could build anything! Always helping the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts on their outings.

He loved to watch Mariners baseball, especially with his grandson Brian. Seahawks were a close second! Restoring old cars, fishing since he was a young boy with his dad, boating, bowling, painting, listening to the Irish Rovers, learning to speak Gaelic and enjoying his children and grandchildren were his loves. He was a religious man that was devoted to his family and Catholic faith.

He had an infectious laugh, great smile and the best hugs! A gifted storyteller and always the funniest dad jokes! An Irishman through and through! Traveled to Ireland in 1978 with his family and loved it!

Rich was preceded in death by his first wife Helen Claire. He is survived by his children, Richy, Margie Hakala (Doug), Frances Fritze (Marvin) and Charlie (Tina); second wife Jean, her daughters Debbie Bristol (Wade) and Patti Rafish (Glen); granddaughters Tara, Sarah, Claire, Helen, Shannon, April, Kerry, Alise, Britney, Ashley and Kinsley; grandsons Richy, Brian, Kevin, Charlie and Zach; twenty great grandchildren Molly, Bridget, Gracie, Olivia, Aela, Willow, Cooper, Nolan, Finn, Steele, Jameson, Walker, Perry, Jerzy, Briggs, Beau, Elizabeth, Violet, Ellie and Reign; brother Marty; sisters Alice, Betty Jo, Eileen and Colleen; brother in laws Herb and Jerry; sister in law Sandy.

His advice to staying young, "Being young. Too many people grow old because they forget to be young."

Funeral services were held January 2, 2021 in Butte, Montana. Internment services will be held at Holyrood Cemetery in Shoreline, Washington at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Scleroderma Foundation. Scleroderma.org