Joseph J. Mulcahy, age 94, was born March 2, 1919, at Belmont. His parents were John and Rose Mulcahy. He graduated from Belmont High School, received a bachelor's degree from Platteville and a masters degree from the University of Wisconsin, Madison.

Following graduation from college, Joe taught briefly at Baraboo Senior High School before entering military service. A young English teacher by the name of Mary Vance from Delevan, taught in the nearby Baraboo Junior High School. The two met and were married on June 28, 1945, at the Boca Raton Air Force Base in Florida. They celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary in June, 2012.

In addition to his wife, Mary, Joe is survived by a daughter, Ann (Dave) Orr of Merrimac; a son, Colonel (retired) Joe (Cindy) United State Air Force, Cheyenne, Wyoming; a son Jim (Christal) Whitewater; and a son, John (Cecilia) Peoria, Arizona. He is also survived by three sisters: Rosemary Phillips of Oregon, Catherine Schmitt of Jefferson, and Margaret Leffler of Dodgeville, and a sister-in-laws, Gladys Mulcahy of Plover, and Lois Mulcahy of Greenleaf. Additionally, he is survived by six grandchildren and one great grandchild. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Leo and Edward.

Joe taught agriculture briefly at Baraboo High School prior to entering the Army Air Corps during WW II. Following military service, he taught in the combined high schools of La Farge and West Lima, then at Waterloo High School for several years and, finally the last 23 years before retirement at Sun Prairie High School. His total teaching career covered a span of 39 years. For several years he taught science classes as well as vocational agriculture. He retired from teaching in 1984. He especially enjoyed his years of work with the agriculture program and the FFA. Since retirement he has enjoyed working on the family farm in Columbia County. He holds the Honorary American Degree in the FFA and is a life member of the FFA Alumni Association.

Joe enjoyed athletics, hunting, fishing, dancing and spending part of the winter in Arizona. His hobbies included growing fruits and gardening. Joe grew almost every variety of fruit suited to the area.
Joe was a long time member of the Lions Club and was selected for the Melvin Jones Fellow Award. He was a 50-year member of the Catholic Order of Foresters, and a 50-year member of the Knights of Columbus. He was a member and past Faithful Navigator of the Holy Trinity Tri-County Assembly Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus. He was a long time American legion member at Waterloo and Sun Prairie. He also belonged to several professional organizations.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 16, 2013 at Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Catholic Church, 227 Columbus Street in Sun Prairie. Monsignor Duane Moellenberndt will preside. Burial will be in the Sacred Hearts Cemetery where graveside military rites will be held. A visitation will be held before Mass from 9:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. at the Tuschen-Newcomer Funeral Home, 302 Columbus St. in Sun Prairie.

He will be greatly missed for his leadership and kindness by all who knew him.

In lieu of flowers donation may be made to Sacred Hearts Catholic Church or the Sun Prairie Education Foundation.
Tuschen-Newcomer Funeral Home
Sun Prairie, WI 608-837-5400
www.newcomerfh.com