William G. "Digger" Mulvey
William Mulvey Obituary
Mr. William G. Digger Mulvey, owner of the Riendeau-Mulvey Funeral Home in Taunton MA, lost his courageous battle with cancer on Wednesday, December 26th 2018. Bill passed away in his home, surrounded by his loving family. He was born 66 years ago in Taunton, the son of the late William and Lorraine (Riendeau) Mulvey. Bill was educated in Taunton where he attended the former St. Jacques Grammar School and was the last graduating class of the former Coyle High School in 1970. He was also a 1972 graduate of the former New England Institute of Anatomy where he received his degree in Mortuary Science, Embalming and Funeral Directing. Bill was the recipient of the Mu Sigma Alpha Award and the Sigma Mu Sigma Award in recognition of his outstanding academic proficiency.
Bill was very involved with his community. He was always willing to help anyone in need. He was a longtime member of the National Funeral Directors Association, the Knights of Columbus, the Italian Club, and the P.A.C.C. He was also a member of the Taunton Lodge of Elks #150, the Elks Golf League, the Elks Pool League, the American Pool Players Association and many other organizations. Bill was also a devoted communicant of St. Jude the Apostle Parish in Taunton, where he enjoyed announcing the raffles forthe annual penny sale.
Bill spent many happy hours playing golf with some of his closest friends, shooting pool and listening to his favorite musical artist, Frank Sinatra. He had a passion when it came to playing pool and was known around Taunton for his talent in the game. In 1999, Bill and The Elks seven-person team traveled to Las Vegas to compete for a shot at the APPA National 8 Ball Championship. He was also an excellent 1 pocket player. During the winter months Bill enjoyed taking some time away for the warmer weather in Florida. Bill took pleasure in hosting his annual steak dinner and outing for the Elks Golf League at his Cape Cod residence. One of his greatest enjoyments was spending his summers in Cape Cod with his longtime companion Janet Smith, where he spent some of his most memorable and cherished moments of his later years.
Bill took pride in being the 6th generation to be involved with the family business. Bills great-great-great grandfather was a carpenter who built caskets for the people of Whittenton and opened the Riendeau Funeral Home in 1869. Bill had grown up in the funeral home his entire life and received his apprenticeship to assist in embalming and funeral arrangements by the age of 13. He worked day and night to serve all the families in need. One of his biggest accomplishments was when he took over the funeral home from his father in 1996. January 1st, 2019 marks the 150th year the funeral home has been in business. When Bill became sick, his biggest worry was carrying on the Riendeau-Mulvey name. In 2014, Bill hired his managing director Robert Stockwell, to whom he has now passed his legacy onto. He was always known to help anyone in need, no matter what the circumstances were. Bills gentle care for those he served and his warm and generouspersonality for the countless people he assisted throughout his life brought solace to all.
Bill leaves behind his loving companion of 28 years, Janet Smith, his step-daughter Sheryl Smith and cherished granddaughter Jaelyn Paulo, all of Taunton. He is survived by his Beloved brother, Geoffrey Mulvey of Taunton, his Aunts Helen Goldbach and Nancy Foster, both of FL and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He also leaves behind his close friend and business partner Robert J. Stockwell IV and best friend Gary Follette of Taunton.
Visiting hours will be held from the Riendeau-Mulvey funeral home, 467 Bay St. Taunton MA on Wednesday, January 2nd, 2019 from 4:00 to 8:00PM. Funeral Services will begin at the funeral home on Thursday January 3rd, 2019 at 9AM. A Mass of Christian burial will follow in the St. Jude the Apostle Parish at 10:00AM. Interment will be in St. Joseph Cemetery. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Expressions of Sympathy can be made in Bills name to the St. Jude the Apostle Parish, 249 Whittenton St. Taunton, MA 02780 or the American Cancer Society, P.O Box 22478, Oklahoma City, OK 73123. For directions or to leave an online condolence, please visit www.r-mfh.com
249 Whittenton St.
Taunton, MA 02780
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