JOSEPH (JOE) ALPHONSUS MULLALLY

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JOSEPH (JOE) ALPHONSUS MULLALLY

Joseph (Joe) Alphonsus Mullally passed away peacefully on August 5, 2026, with family by his side. Dad was born on April 7, 1932, in Gowan Brae, PEI, to Mary Jane and George Mullally. The second of five children, he lost his mother at age five. By all accounts, he had an idyllic childhood in PEI. Although he spent most of his adult life outside PEI, it was clear PEI was always in his heart. He often regaled his family with stories from his time in PEI, including working on the family farm, swimming in the Souris River, playing card games, and listening to the Stanley Cup playoffs on the radio.

Dad attended Saint Dunstan's University (now the University of PEI), where he earned a Bachelor of Arts. During his time at Saint Dunstan’s, Dad was a very active athlete. He played on the basketball team, where, despite his “diminutive” stature, he was one of the team’s top scorers. He also played on the school’s rugby team, which won the Maritime Intercollegiate Championship and the McCurdy Cup in 1952. In 2004, that team was inducted into the UPEI Sports Hall of Fame, an honour of which Dad was extremely proud.

During his summers off from university, Dad worked as a bellman at Jasper Park Lodge, an experience that left an indelible mark on him. He eventually became a bell captain at the Lodge, which gave him the chance to interact with special guests. He liked to tell the story of helping Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio with their luggage during their stay at the Lodge. He loved his summers in the Rockies, where he enjoyed hiking and climbing, including a memorable climb of Mount Edith Cavell. He also had the fortune of watching Ben Hogan play a round at Jasper Park Lodge Golf Course, another story he loved to tell.

Dad was a deeply spiritual man. After Saint Dunstan’s, he entered the seminary and was ordained a Catholic priest in 1957. He was drawn to Winnipeg by the legacy of relatives who had served the church there, including his uncle, Father John Mullally, and his great-uncle, the first Catholic Archbishop of Winnipeg, Alfred Arthur Sinnott. He served as a priest at Saint Mary’s Cathedral in Winnipeg until 1964, then in Russell, Manitoba, until 1968, and finally in the Manitoba Interlake. During his 13 years as a priest, Dad faithfully served his communities, baptizing, marrying, and counseling countless people and families.

Dad left the priesthood to pursue a legal career. He also met the love of his life, Patricia Hogan. Their love and the remarkable paths they each took to find each other were truly special. They married in 1971. Dad graduated from the University of Manitoba law school, and they moved to Brandon, Manitoba, where he articled. Shortly afterward, he became a partner at the law firm Carroll, Mullally, and Paterson.

In 1973, Mom and Dad had their first child, William Hogan Mullally, followed by James Cooney Mullally in 1974 and Ellen Catherine Mullally in 1977. Dad was a dedicated family man, the kind of dedication only a parent of a child with developmental disabilities can fully appreciate. He threw himself into joining agencies that provided support for families of children with developmental disabilities. In the 1980s, he served on the board of Autism Manitoba and was the Manitoba representative on the board of Autism Canada, among other volunteer work.

Dad loved politics. He was a passionate Liberal until his final days. While in Brandon, he ran twice federally for the Liberals in the Brandon-Souris riding in 1980 and 1983. He also served as President of the Liberal Party of Manitoba from 1981 to 1983.

In 1984, Dad was appointed to the Court of Queen's Bench and moved his family to Winnipeg. He loved being a judge and faithfully served the family division of the court until his retirement in 2007. In Winnipeg, Dad continued his volunteer and advocacy work. He championed improvements to the education system for children with developmental disabilities. He served as a two-time board member of SCE LifeWorks of Winnipeg. He was also approached to join the Board of New Directions For Children, Youth, Adults & Families, a wonderful agency that provides ongoing support for our family. Dad was unable to participate but suggested another family member join the board, a connection that continues to this day.

In his retirement years, Dad enjoyed spending time at the cottage, having lunch with the retired judges, playing cards, following politics, watching the Blue Jays, cheering for Rory McIlroy, and spending time with his family.

Dad was predeceased by his mother (Mary Jane), his father (George), his younger sister (Ellen), and his older brother (John). Dad leaves behind a loving family who will hold his memory close to their hearts, including his wife, Pat; his children, Hogan (Meghan Nordman), James, and Ellen (David Gordon); and grandchildren Jacqueline, Wilton, Sinnott, Nola, Lleith James, and Llyric. He is also survived by his brothers, George and Sinnott, and by many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the staff at Grace Hospital for the care they provided to Dad during his final days. We would also like to thank the staff at New Directions for the care and support they provided to the family.

The family is planning a private service in the coming days. If anyone would like to make a contribution in memory of Dad’s life, please consider donating to the New Directions For Children, Youth, Adults & Families Endowment Fund.

As published in Brandon Sun, Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 08, 2026