John Joseph Mulkeen Jr.

May 25, 1948 – June 8, 2025

Husband, Father, Veteran, Seafarer, and Friend

John Joseph Mulkeen Jr. passed away peacefully in his home on June 8, 2025, in Bayville, New Jersey, at the age of 77. A man of quiet strength, insatiable curiosity, and devotion to his country, John’s life was a journey of exploration and discovery of places, ideas, and people. He approached the world with endless curiosity and a friendly spirit that made everyone feel welcome. He is survived by his three children: Two sons, Nicholas Mulkeen and Sean Mulkeen, along with one daughter, Justine Skelton, her husband Daniel Skelton and their son Cameron Skelton.

Born and raised in the Edgewater section of Throgs Neck in the Bronx, John spent his childhood swimming in the Long Island Sound, developing a lifelong love for the water that would shape many of his greatest adventures. Whether sailing, swimming, or simply walking near the shoreline, the sea always called to him.

A talented swimmer, John attended Cardinal Spellman High School on an athletic scholarship before going on to the College of the Holy Cross, where he joined the Naval ROTC and studied economics. There, he played rugby with grit and good humor, mentored younger students through the Senior Brother Program, and graduated in 1970 with honors, a proud member of Omicron Delta Epsilon, the international economics honor society. John also graduated as Executive Officer in the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps.

John trained as a Navy SEAL and diver, performing ship repair operations under the most demanding conditions during the Vietnam era. He transferred to the Retired Reserve in December 1990 as a Lieutenant Commander, a title that he was very proud of and came along with countless stories that his family always enjoyed hearing.

In one of the most adventurous chapters of his life, John and two close friends purchased a sailboat and spent six months sailing around the coast of the UK and Ireland: a voyage that embodied his love for exploration, the sea, and good company. He was also a marathon runner, having proudly completed the New York City Marathon.

John married Carol Ann in December 1978, they resided in Larchmont, NY when they welcomed their first born son and made the decision to relocate to Colts Neck, NJ. Following his military service, John brought his leadership and intelligence to the world of finance, becoming a Vice President at Citibank and later a Commodities Broker leading to a manager role of the floor. He would later pursue other professional paths, and lastly a salesman selling the one thing that brought him a lot of joy, boats, before retiring.

John was a devout Catholic, a man always driven by curiosity and a keen interest in learning about people and ideas, and is remembered as a Father to his three children: Nicholas, Justine and Sean. As a Father, John offered not only love, but wisdom, encouragement, and unwavering support. Without hesitation, he always wanted to be part of their next adventure. Whether coaching their teams, cheering from the sidelines, attending every recital and school play, or spending evenings practicing in the backyard, John showed joyfully. He had a gift for turning his children’s interests into shared learning journeys, spending countless hours researching, exploring, and teaching. John loved dogs, who seemed instinctively drawn to his big heart and gentle nature. He was endlessly curious, always reading, asking questions, and seeking to understand the world around him, making him not just interested in life, but truly interesting to all who knew him.

His legacy is one of service, strength, kindness, and a boundless appreciation for life’s mysteries: whether found in faith, in the sea, or in the stories shared around the dinner table.

He will be laid to rest with full military honors at the Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Wrightstown, New Jersey, on Wednesday June, 18th at 10:30am.

May he rest in peace, and may his memory be a blessing to all who were fortunate to know and love him.