Leaving A Legacy- Honoring My Grandfather-George Edward Mullen.

My grandfather George Edward Mullen was born in Reno Nevada on December 24-1913 and passed away on July 23-2009. He was 95 1/2 years old. He was the oldest of 14 children, 8 of his sisters and one brother are still living. He has 6 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren. Family reunions were quite the event in our family on the Mullen side.

His life was so remarkable and he was my best role model that the least he deserves from me is a tribute post.

George Edward Mullen

He was married to my grandmother Trudy for over 68 years and they raised my father and my aunt. They lived in San Francisco most of their lives until they retired and moved to Sonoma California. My memories of my Gramps, that is what we called him are fond and will last forever. He was my father figure, he was my solid mountain in a sea of turbulance. My parents got divorced and he was there for us. While my father was serving in the Navy doing several tours of duty in Vietnam it was my Gramps who would drive from San Francisco every other weekend to pick us kids up in Menlo Park California and drive us all the way up to his home so that we could get 3 square meals, learn manners, see TV shows, go to Shriner and Masonic actiivities and take us shopping for school clothes and more. Having family meal times with my grandparents gave us a sense of normalcy in our lives. We yearned for those weekends.

The marriage example that my Mimi and Gramps provided me would one day become my anchor. Gramps' love for Mimi shined in every day we save them together. My grandmother never had a driver's license and never drove a car. My Gramps would drive her anywhere she needed to go whether it was to the beauty parlor to get her hair done once a week, grocery shopping or to the local bakery, or to the hospital visits to see her newborn grandchildren. He drove her to her Daughters of the Nile meetings and outings with her friends without ever a whimper or complaint. They lived a wonderful life and traveled all over the world with the Shriners. Their lives were filled with service for their family and those less fortunate. In the video below there is a beautiful photo of my grandparents when they first got married.

He worked as a medical steward for over 33 years for the General Hospital of San Francisco. He set up 98 mobile emergency hospitals. He was in public service doing good and saving lives. He delivered over 80 babies.

George Edward Mullen earned his Eagle Scout award. He was awarded the Silver Beaver award in 1960 for his active work in the cub scouts, the boy scouts, the Sea Scouts and the Explorers.

My grandfather was a licensed pilot and an honorary member of the San Francisco Veterans Police Association.

He was a tireless volunteer and worker as a member of the Masonic Order. He performed in many leadership roles in the Masons and Shriners. He received the Knight Commander of the Court of Honor and coronated a 33rd degree Mason in 1979. He served in many capacities with the Masons and Shriners, too many to list here. I remember going to the Shriner Circuses with him where all that money was raised for the Children's Shriners Hospitals.

My grandfather was very social, had many friends and I loved going to his entertaining events. I could sit and listen to him for hours. He had real fish stories that really happened.

He wrote his own memorial service and these are some of the words he wanted to be read:

I'd like the memory of me

to be a happy one.

I'd like to leave an after glow

of smiles when life is done'

I'd like to leave an echo whispering

softly down the way,

Of happy times and laughing times

and bright and sunny days.

I'd like the tears of those who grieve

to dry before the sun

Of happy memories that I leave

when life is done.

Please share with me some family photos that Gramps wished to share with all his friends and families in the video format he made as part of his own life's celebration.

 

 

 


 
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23 Comments on Leaving A Legacy- Honoring My Grandfather- George Edward Mullen

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Katerina, Thanks for sharing. It made me chuckle to read that he drove your grandmother everywhere since she didn't drive. My Granny was the same way and my Papaw drove her everywhere too. An excellent tribute and obvious that he left you with some happy memories as was his wish.

8:25pm • #1

Condolences on your loss.  I am kind of Jealous, I had lost the last of my grandparents when I was 18.  You had a long time to love and enjoy being with him. 

8:26pm • #2
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Daniel- I lost my mother when I was 18. My grandparents were such a constant and took the place of my parents. My father has not spoken to me but twice since I was about 15. I am 51! Katerina

9:00pm • #3
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Kathryn- I used to think it was strange but then they lived in San Francisco for so many years. My grandmother had a friend that worked in the same firm as she did and would pick her up for work. When I lived in SF I took the bus everywhere. I never needed a car. That was way back in the early 70's. My grandfather never complained about driving her anywhere she wanted. He always opened the door for her. And I would think she would feel tied down but she never wanted to learn how to drive. She was independent in all else. Interesting times, weren't they! Katerina

9:09pm • #4
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Katerina, I am so sorry for your loss.....Your grandfather must have been a great and wonderful man! He will live in your heart forever...
9:11pm • #5
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Barbara- Thank you Barbara. He was very special to me, my rock, my hero, my father figure, my security growing up. Katerina

9:13pm • #6
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Thanks for sharing.  Your Gramps was quite a guy.

9:17pm • #7
488,729 Points 50 Featured Posts Outside Blog

I wish you could see the standing ovation I could give your grandpa for a legacy well lived.

9:26pm • #8
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Congratulations on having such a wonderful person in your life... I am going to send my  85 year old mother his words... she will love them... what a guy! thank you for telling us his story....

9:39pm • #9
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Fran- Thank you for taking part in my sharing.

Loreena- Yes, Loreena, now I pray for him. He was the kindest person but said before he died that he was ready to go to never never land.

Debra- I hope your mother enjoys his words.

10:02pm • #10
360,948 Points 30 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Katerina:  What a lovely tribute to your Grandfather!  We could all take a few notes on living from him...  BTW, Mimi was gorgeous. 

I lost my Grandmother this year also.  She was 96.  She raised me and was like a mother to me.  I am still grieving her departure.  Perhaps I should attempt to write a tribute to her; it might help me with the pain.  Did it help you?

Thank you for always being so lovely!  I really appreciate you!  You make this World a better place.

10:42pm • #11
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BTW, this is now featured on the Optimist group.  We could all take notes on living well from your Grandfather...

10:43pm • #12
Outside Blog

Amazing amazing. I am sure he had a beautiful life, almost a century full of memories and joy. Thanks for sharing with us.

10:44pm • #13
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Eileen- Yes, a long life! What a great life it was too!

Mirele- Thank you so much. You are very sweet too! I appreciate the feature also. I am sure he is smiling on you for that! He does have a lot to teach.

Yes, it did help me through my grieving process. I have a very short grief period because I know what happens when we leave this life:) His father called him home. Yes, he was taken away from me temporarily but now he is with his wife and they are together and doing great work on the other side. He wanted us to celebrate his life not mourn it. I am at peace with this. Katerina

11:15pm • #14
181,127 Points 4 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Katerina - The word I was thinking while reading and watching the video is exactly what Eileen thought... 'AMAZING'. He had accomplished so much in his life and lived one heck of a long life. So many things stood out in the posts and in the video... Eagle Scout, Married 68 years, pilot, doctor... and let's not forget about the HUGE swordfish. :-)   This was a great tribute post. Thank you for sharing it with us (although now I can only think about the amount of things I have NOT accomplished in comparison). He sounded like a wonderful man. Congratulations for having him in your life!

11:21pm • #15
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Hi Nester and Katerina, This is a wonderful tribute to your grandfather. Thankfully he had you to do this to give his memory a lasting life. Beautifully done Celebration of Life.

11:24pm • #16
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Katerina, what an awesome tribute to your grandfather.

I do believe we are related, just need to do the geneology thing to see how. As I told you most Mullens are spelled with an I so lets see what we can find out. I will scan in a photo of my grandad.

Their is a similiarity.

7:01am • #17

Katerina,

Sorry to hear for your loss, but it is great to rejoice in everything he accomplished.  What an amazing story.

Jeremy Williams
Keller Williams Realty NE
Kingwood, TX
www.williams4yourhome.com

 

10:49am • #18
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Katerina-- I know this has been a difficult summer for you.  You know my prayers are with you!  Ironic that I should read this when I posted a picture of my Grandmother and my daugher  on FB today!  She is 97 I think.

12:27pm • #19
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What a wonderful way to recognize your Grandfather!  I think it goes without saying that we need more men like him in today's society.

1:25pm • #20
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Katerina..I think it was the ERA..Your grandfather led a rich full life..as did my mother..Cry no tears for me I led a full and wonderful life ..That is the message..I think it is amazing that he made this video for you to cherish..How wonderful..and thank you for sharing it has warmed my heart..

HELPFULHANNAH

7:01pm • #21
OCT
01
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Katerina:  You are a bigger person than I am.  All I can still think about is how much I miss her.  The egotistic part of me was not ready to let my beloved grandmother go yet...

12:20am • #22
OCT
22
2 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Katerina:  What a wonderful tribute. May we all have rich and rewarding lives like he did.  Tere

5:45pm • #23

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