Edward Joseph Mulcahy Jr.

On December 15, 2024, Edward Joseph Mulcahy Jr, beloved husband of Jeanne Margaret Mulcahy (Nass), passed away after a brief illness. Born in 1936, Ed grew up in Springfield, Illinois, with his parents Edward Sr. and Theresa and shared his youth with two younger sisters Joyce and Donna. Their Irish/German family home was a center of activity, joy, and love living together amongst multiple generations of family and friends.

After Ed graduated from Cathedral High School in 1954, he left Springfield to attend Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas. He then attended Kansas State University to complete his Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering in 1959. While at Benedictine, he met Jeanne, who also attended college in Atchison. The two were married the day after Christmas in 1959.

From 1959 - 1962, Ed served in the Army Corps of Engineers and then the Army reserve. He also worked at the Kansas Department of Transportation while in the reserve. Seeking to enhance his engineering credentials, Ed and family moved to Arizona in 1962, where he earned a Master’s Degree in Civil Engineering at Arizona State University. Following graduation, the family moved to Kansas City where Ed worked for a local engineering firm.

In 1966, Ed and two co-workers founded their own transportation centric engineering firm, Johnson Brickell Mulcahy (JBM) Engineers and Planners. Ed worked tirelessly with many local and state governments across the country to design and implement transportation projects for safe and efficient traffic flow. Ed managed high-profile projects such as the Truman Sports Complex (home of the Kansas City Chiefs and Kansas City Royals), Crown Center, the Kansas City Terminal Railway, and the Kansas Speedway. Through growth and acquisitions, JBM grew into one of the largest engineering firms in the nation. In 2005, the JBM name was changed to TranSystems where Ed served as Principal.

Ed became a tireless advocate for Engineering professionals by being involved and influencing professional organizations such as MOVITE, ASCE, APWA, and ACEC, In 1996 Ed was inducted into the Kansas State University Hall of Fame for his outstanding contributions since his graduation. In 2006, Ed was named President of the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) which is the largest professional society of engineering firms in the world. As President, he and Jeanne visited Europe, China, Russia, and multiple other countries and states serving as ambassadors reinforcing the importance of engineering excellence to provide the infrastructure for communities worldwide. While Ed was President of ACEC, President George W. Bush and Neil Armstrong spoke at various functions.

As time passed, Ed and Jeanne would eventually settle in Estero, Florida at Copperleaf. He loved when the family visited Florida. Playing golf with his children and grandchildren became a vacation ritual. Ed was a devout and engaged Catholic, whose faith came to life in prayer, in regularly attending services, in charitable giving, and in service to others. He regularly attended Mass and enjoyed having his children and grandchildren accompany him.

Ed was a lifetime Chiefs, Royals, and Kansas State Wildcats fan and season ticket holder for many years. He loved golf and enjoyed playing the Copperleaf course, where he developed many new friendships with The Duffers group and other members of the community. In his later years, Ed also learned how to paint and play guitar, despite having no prior experience in either...family members called him "Papa Picasso".

Ed was preceded in death by his parents Edward Sr and Theresa Mulcahy. He is survived by his wife Jeanne; his two sisters Joyce Sutton and Donna Fitts; his three children Timothy Mulcahy (Christine), Stephen Mulcahy (Christina), Erin Turner (Ray); his three nieces Meghan Vincent (Ron), Shannon Tamblin (Brian) and Margot Conahan; his eight grandchildren who called him "Papa": Ryan Turner (Brylie), Cavan Mulcahy (Jamie), Claire Turner, Taryn Mooneyhan (Zach), Jack Turner, Matthew Mulcahy, Joseph Mulcahy, and Brendan Mulcahy, and his great granddaughter Hadley Mulcahy.

A funeral Mass will be held at Church of the Nativity, 3800 W 119th St, Leawood, KS at 11:00 am on Friday, February 7, 2025, with visitation preceding the service at 10:00 am.

(*All times noted above are Central time zone*).

The funeral Mass will also be streamed live via Church of the Nativity website and will be accessible for viewing afterwards.

A celebration in Florida of Ed's life will be announced at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the charity of your choice or:

Edward J. Mulcahy Memorial Fund at Kansas State University

KSU Foundation, 1800 Kimball Ave, Ste 200, Manhattan, KS 66502

Please indicate fund M47489 on checks.

Donations will fund Ed's Civil Engineering scholarship started in 1995.

http://www.ksufoundation.org/give/memorials

Copperleaf Charitable Foundation

23101 Copperleaf Drive, Estero, FL 34135

Please indicate Edward J Mulcahy Endowment fund on checks.

http://www.copperleaffoundation.org/donations