John Carlton Mulligan

John Mulligan passed away peacefully on June 23rd in the city of Gig Harbor near the home he had lived in and loved for 23 years. As John would say, “20 rowboat strokes across from the Tides and 40 strokes back.”

John was born in 1944 in Hornell, New York to Charlie and Mary Mulligan, who preceded him in death, as well as his brother Pete. He is survived by his family, who were the light of his life: his wife Tricia, his brother Bill, beloved nieces and nephews, his sons Michael, Eric (Virginia), Tim (Kelly), his daughter Meghan (Tige), and stepdaughters Elisa and Erin (Jason). He is also survived by 10 grandchildren: Sophie, Nick, Addie, Chloe, Emma, Finn, Sam, Kaelyn, Kennedy, and Lila.

John attended Siena College and the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. He interned at St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center in Boston before he was drafted into the U.S. Army. Stationed at Fort Lewis, WA, John proudly provided medical care to the soldiers going to and returning from Vietnam. He also served in the Pediatric Clinic. John returned to the East Coast to resume his pediatric and neonatal training at the University of Pittsburgh and Tufts Medical Center.

In 1977, Tacoma General Hospital decided to start a Level 3 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. John was recruited back to the Pacific Northwest by his associates from Fort Lewis and the community to establish the unit, which covered all of Southwest Washington. It became the largest NICU in the state. He remained active as director and practitioner until 2011. John was an academic and contributed greatly to the education of the staff, the community, and outlying hospitals. He also contributed to education throughout the country at speaking engagements and held a faculty position at the University of Washington.

John had several hobbies he was passionate about. He climbed Mount Rainier several times as well as other more challenging mountains around the world. The times he loved best were when he was able to climb with his children Tim, Eric, and Meghan. Skiing as a family at White Pass and traveling the world with friends were some of his greatest memories.

He loved rowing his shell in the harbor and, in his earlier years, rowed competitively, taking 3rd place in an international senior competition.

He always loved the water and was fortunate to have sail and power boats throughout his adult life. He and his wife traveled the Pacific Northwest, around Vancouver Island, and across the ocean from Mexico to Hawaii, making many friends along the way.

He loved boating so much that when he retired, he studied hard, earned his 100-ton Coast Guard license, and went to work for Mike Rice and Puget Sound Sailing Institute. He had a wonderful time sailing around the world and teaching advanced students.

John will be remembered as a kind, thoughtful, focused, passionate, and fun person who loved his family and friends dearly.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to Patricia Papadopoulos and Steve Stringfellow for the excellent care and compassion they provided to John, as well as to the team at the University of Washington Medical Center.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Tom Taylor Family YMCA to support programs benefiting underserved youth and at-risk adults.

A Celebration of Life will be held on July 17th at 1:00 PM at the Gig Harbor Yacht Club.