Obituary of Thomas Edward Mulrain

Thomas Edward Mulrain, a talented retired machinist passed away suddenly on Saturday, August 3, 2024.  He was 80 years old.  Tom was born in Waltham.  He was one of three children born to Arthur and Muriel Mulrain.  At the age of 7, his family settled in Billerica on Nutting Lake.   He played hockey on the lake with his friends when it froze. He served six years in the Army National Guard, before receiving his honorable discharge in 1965. As adults, they played in an adult hockey league at the Billerica forum.  In the summer months, he would fish, swim, and boat.   The fun childhood game of table hockey became a sport for Tom.  He played in the table hockey leagues well into his 70’s.  He played regularly locally, but also competed in local, national, and even international tournaments.  He was a very serious player and won numerous trophies over the years.  He played singles and doubles and with and against players that were more than half his age.   Occasionally his doubles partner was bit of a ringer, his nephew Kenny Dubois. Tom was even ranked in the World Table Hockey Tour for many years. 

Tom was an avid fisherman.  He did some freshwater fishing, but much preferred saltwater fishing.  He was a very good mariner, taking his boats often out of the Merrimack River to open water.    He always had a garden and always gave away more of his harvest than he kept.  Friends often had Tom come by so he could save or rescue their gardens. He was a lifelong Bruins and Patriots fan and remained loyal even during the not so good years.  He also enjoyed following the sport of tennis.  He was a bit of an artist and dabbled in sketching and painting.

Tom was a machinist.   He helped create the dye for the much-loved Hasbro toy called “Weebles”, equipment for ADT Alarm systems, Raytheon, and the equipment and prototypes for artificial Arteries and angioplasty at BARD Corporation.  He had an analytical mind and the skills to create almost anything he put his mind to.

Tom’s family remembers family vacations to Old Orchard Beach, Hampton Beach, and York Maine, days fishing, and the way he never wanted to be the center of attention.  He would go out of his way to help someone, but never wanted to impose on others.  He never complained and was full of humility and kindness.   

Tom was the beloved husband of 58 years of Mary Marguerite (Holey).  He was the loving father of Deborah Mulrain of Burlington, Christopher Mulrain & his wife Meghan of Fremont, NH, and Janet Wright of Wells Maine.   He was the son of the late Arthur and Muriel Mulrain and brother of the late Joyce Dubois and Gail Mulrain.  He was the proud grandfather of TJ Wright, Joseph Edward Mulrain, and Arthur George Mulrain who he called “Artie”.  He was the father-in-law of Timothy Wright of Wells, Maine, brother-in-law of Marguerite Holey of Burlington and George Holey, Jr. of Orange, and son-in-law of the late Evelyn and George Holey.  He was the uncle of Christine Dubois, Kenny Dubois, and Eric Holey. 

Visiting hours will be held at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., Burlington on Monday August 12 from 5-7 p.m. Funeral from the Sullivan Funeral Home on Tuesday, August 13 at 9 a.m. Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Margaret Church in St. Veronica Parish, www.stveronicama.org, 111 Winn Street, Burlington at 10 a.m. Services will conclude with a burial in Pine Haven Cemetery, Burlington.  For online guestbook and tribute video see www.sullivanfuneralhome.net