Loved wrestling, gardening and golf
MELROSE — Denis F. Mulvihill, of Melrose, went home to be with the Lord on February 13 at the age of 75. He was born in Westfield on February 28, 1948, to the late Denis F. and Alice F. (Moore) Mulvihill.
Denis graduated from Norwich University in 1970 and went on to earn a master’s degree +30 at Boston State College. He taught at Stoneham High School for 34 years and was a high school athletics coach and equipment manager. Denis was also a longtime high school and college referee and was especially active in the wrestling community. In 2005, he was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame for Lifetime Service to Wrestling. Denis lived and breathed wrestling, gardening, golfing and his Irish ancestry. Denis was a man of faith, devoted to God and his church. He was a hardworking and generous husband, father, neighbor, friend and teacher.
Denis was the beloved husband of Valerie “VG” Mulvihill of Melrose for 42 years; loving father of Anne Carter and her husband Randall of Melrose; Edward Skane and his wife Toni of CA; and Steven Mulvihill and his wife Amy of CA; devoted grandfather of Breanna and her husband Andrew; Tyler and his wife Katie; Derek and his wife Hannah, Leah and Carly; proud great-grandfather of six; caring brother of Cathy Gatesman and her husband Paul; Alice Garcia and her husband Joe; John Mulvihill and his wife Pam; Bill Mulvihill and his wife Karen; and the late Mary Regan. He is also survived by nieces, nephews, friends and his beloved grand dogs Benny and Oscar.
Visiting hours will be held at Gately Funeral Home, 79 W. Foster St., Melrose on Saturday, March 16 from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. immediately followed by a 12 p.m. funeral service at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Community City Church, 214 Commercial St., Suite 105, Malden, MA 02148; to the Melrose High School Wrestling Team Booster Club c/o Cory Thomas, 19 Glen Ave., Melrose, MA 02176; or to the Alzheimer’s Association at act.alz.org. To leave an online message of condolence, please visit gatelyfh.com.