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.

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.