The funeral will be held on Friday, January 24, 2013 at 9:15 a.m. from O'Brien Funeral Home, 24 Lincoln Ave., Forestville/Bristol and will proceed to St. Matthew Church, 120 Church Ave., Forestville for a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. Committal service will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery, Bristol. Calling hours will be held on Thursday between 5:00 and 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to American Legion Baseball Committee, Seicheprey Post #2, 22 Hooker Court, Bristol, CT 06010. To leave an online message of condolence, share a memory or a photo, please visit Francis' page at www.OBrien-FuneralHome.com.
Francis W. Mullins, 89, a lifelong Bristol resident, died early Monday morning at the Jerome Home in New Britain. He was the husband of Carol A. (Degnan) Mullins and they celebrated 60 years of marriage this past October. Francis often remarked that marrying Carol was the single best thing that ever happened to him in his life. Francis was born in Bristol on February 29, 1924, the oldest child of the late Francis D. and Alfema (Goudreau) Mullins. After graduating from Bristol High School, he joined the U.S. Army during World War II as part of the "Greatest Generation." Francis served in the European Theater seeing action in England, France, Belgium, and Germany; and he was part of the large allied force that fought in the Battle of the Bulge. He was honorably discharged in March of 1946 and was a proud lifelong veteran. Francis was employed for 46 years with SNET and for many years served as the Vice President of the Connecticut Union of Telephone Workers where he represented thousands of telephone workers. Active in community and veterans affairs throughout his adult life, he served Bristol as a First Selectman, Police Commissioner, Fire Commissioner and most recently on the Board of Parks Commission. He and Carol were active parishioners of St. Matthew Church, and they volunteered many hours to the Meals on Wheels program, delivering hundreds of hot meals to those in need. He was a Past Commander of American Legion Post #2, and for over 60 years he was involved with American Legion Baseball, including being a longtime Zone One Chairman and State Tournament Director. His extensive involvement with sports led to his induction into the Bristol Sports Hall of Fame. Francis was also instrumental in bringing the Vietnam Memorial, "Moving Wall," to Bristol as a special tribute to Vietnam veterans. Francis and Carol raised five children, Brian Mullins (wife Donna), Scott Mullins, Daniel Mullins (wife Barbara), Mitchel Mullins (partner, Sally) and Tracy Root (husband Robert); 8 grandchildren and their spouses Melissa & Matthew, Andrea & William, Nicholas & Jill, Christopher & Kari, Gregory, Meghan, Benjamin and Hayley; 7 great grandchildren; brothers, Robert Mullins and John Mullins (wife "Pinkie"); sister, June Wortcheck; and numerous nieces and nephews.
