Tolland Obituary: David Mulholland, 84

David B. Mulholland, 84, of Tolland, loving husband of Maureen Mulholland, passed away peacefully on Oct. 10, 2016.

Born in Fitchburg, MA on May 5, 1932, he was the son of Flora and Thomas Mulholland. David served 12 years in the United States Navy in both active and reserve duty. In 1957, he joined the teaching profession as a teacher in Somers. By 1966, he was appointed Vice Principal in Hartford and later became the first Principal of the Parkville Community School. He remained Principal of Parkville until his retirement in 1992.

He was a founder and leader in professional organizations at the local, state, and national levels. Mr. Mulholland was an officer in the American Federation of Teachers in Hartford. In 1971, he organized and became a Charter Member of the Hartford Principals and Supervisors Association. In 1979, he helped organize and became a Charter Member of the Connecticut Federation of School Administrators from 1981-1997. He was also elected as American Federation of School Administrator’s (AFL-CIO) Vice-President from 1981-1988 and Secretary from 1988 to his retirement as Secretary in July of 2000.

At the time of his retirement, the Connecticut Federation of School Administrators stated that many of the work-related benefits and safeguards its members enjoy today were due to his tireless efforts. Mr. Mulholland served as a member and officer of the Connecticut AFL-CIO Leadership Group, The Greater Hartford Labor Council, the Greater Hartford Arts Council, the Parkville Community Association, Phi Beta Kappa (University of Connecticut chapter), and the Central Connecticut Federal Credit Union Board of Directors.

Among the committees and commissions on which he served were Tolland’s Democratic Town Committee, The Commission on Educational Excellence for Connecticut, The Commission on National and Community Service, The Committee on Equity and Excellence in Education and The Connecticut Board of Mediation and Arbitration.

For his outstanding accomplishments, Mr. Mulholland was presented many awards including Distinguished Alumnus Award from Fitchburg Massachusetts State College, a Congressional Record Tribute, and two Connecticut General Assembly Official Citations for Excellence in Public School Education and Community Service.

His fellow educators remember him for his friendly smile and caring spirit. He was proud of his Irish heritage and enjoyed listening to music, relaxing on the beaches of Cape Cod, and cultivating his gardens.

He is survived by his brother Thomas Mulholland of Lunenburg, MA; his three sons, David of San Francisco, CA, Mark of New York City, and James of Glastonbury, his daughter-in-law Jill Mulholland, and his granddaughter Eva Mulholland, both also of Glastonbury.

Relatives and friends may join the family on Friday, October 14, 2016 at the Tolland Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Merrow Road (Rt. 195), Tolland from 9-10 am with a Funeral Home Service to follow at 10 am. Burial will be held at South Cemetery, Tolland.

For online condolences, please visit www.pietrasfuneralhome.com.