Charles Francis Mullaney

He is survived by his five loving children: Judy, Kevin, Maureen, Karen, and Mike. He was 97 years old.

Born on July 28, 1928, in Mount Savage, Maryland, he was the only son of Frank and Marie Mullaney. Although born into humble beginnings at the start of the Great Depression, his parents worked tirelessly and provided a loving and nurturing childhood for Charlie and his sisters. Charlie and his sisters had a remarkable bond, calling each other every Sunday well into their nineties.

Charlie attended La Salle High School in Cumberland, MD, where he made many lifelong friends. Following his high school graduation, Charlie was drafted into the United States Army on December 4th, 1952. He proudly served his country in combat during the Korean War and remained forever grateful that he was one of the lucky ones to return home.

The GI Bill afforded Charlie the opportunity to attend the University of Maryland, where he graduated with a business degree and then began a distinguished career at IBM.

At IBM, where he was affectionately known as “ Muggs “ he was both respected and admired by his colleagues. He was a mentor to countless young sales reps who credit him with helping launch their careers. Over his 31 year career at IBM, Charlie enjoyed unrivaled success, consistently ranking as one of the company's top performers. His success afforded him and Dottie the opportunity to travel the world.

Charlie met the love of his life, Dottie, in 1959. They began their life together in Bethesda, Maryland, and were virtually inseparable throughout their 67 years together. As Charlie liked to say, by “dumb luck,” they purchased their first and only home on Hitching Post Lane in Old Farm. In this loving home, they were blessed with five children and ten grandchildren.

One of Charlie’s greatest joys was spending time with his kids, whether it was on the annual Ocean City beach vacation, watching countless ballgames, or around the kitchen table. He quietly instilled in them his strong family values and work ethic. At the heart of it all, his life was centered on family.

Sports were a constant in Charlie’s life. Weekends were spent cheering on favorite college and professional teams, but nothing brought him greater joy than attending his family’s Little League and high school games. We always knew when he arrived when we heard his trademark whistle and looked up to see him. He volunteered for years coaching and running the Farmland Athletic Association and community pool.

A source of pride was his expertly manicured lawn and beautiful flower gardens. He spent countless hours working in the yard but was never too busy to chat with a neighbor or stop for a cold beer.

Charlie was a devout Catholic and a founding member of St. Elizabeth’s Parish in Rockville. He generously donated hours of his time to the soup kitchen and helping sell Christmas trees.

Charlie touched hundreds of lives with his optimistic outlook and kind spirit. He is known for his quick wit and legendary stories spanning almost a century. He lived his life with humility and compassion.We will always remember his Irish blue eyes and the smile on his face.