Thomas James McNulty

Thomas James McNulty left us peacefully and with the presence and love of God and his bride of 75 years, Eugenia “Jean” McNulty, on January 6, 2018.   Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 am Friday, Jan. 12 at Spirit of Life Catholic Church, 801 1st St SE, Mandan, with Msgr. Chad Gion officiating. Visitation will be held from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm Thursday, January 11, at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck, where a vigil/rosary will begin at 6:00 pm. Graveside services will be held at 12:00 Noon Friday at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan. Tom was born on November 15, 1918, to James and Alma McNulty in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  After graduating from Edison High School in Minneapolis, and after years of serving as his family’s driver during the 1930s, Tom set forth to make his mark in the world. He would soon meet Jean, the love of his life, at a church youth group in Minneapolis.  Jean remembers Tom as a true gentleman who always held the car door open when they went on a date. They married on January 22, 1942, in St. James Church in Vancouver, Washington, before he left to serve the United States in Europe during the Second World War. Gifted with a baritone voice and Irish wit that would endure to his final days, he returned from war to lead the nation in sales for Sunshine Biscuits and then would become a respected and admired Terminal Manager for Midwest Motor Express until his retirement. Tom and Jean settled in Bismarck to raise their family of five children.  As their children grew and blessed Tom and Jean with grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Tom demonstrated to all the values of faith, prayer, family, and unconditional love. In addition to his beloved family, Tom enjoyed travel, photography, and golf.  Consistent with his genuine humbleness, he could claim a hole-in-one, yet one would never know but for Tom being prompted to disclose that, indeed, he really made one. From his youngest until final days, Tom defined the meaning of presence. One could not be in his company without appreciating how much he meant as husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and man for all—family or otherwise—who encountered him. Tom and Jean, true to their most lovely courtship and marriage, would be recognized as one of the longest married couples in North Dakota until Tom’s passing. Tom loved Jean dearly. Together they would be, tenderly so, until his final moments. Tom is survived by his loving wife, Jean; his daughters, Teresa (Dennis) Forsgren, Patricia (Rod) Shafer, and Mary (Tim) Porter; his sons, Jim (Lynn) McNulty and Joseph McNulty; special niece, Sharon (Dick) Hager. Tom is survived by his grandchildren, Matthew Forsgren, Adam (Susan) Forsgren, Nathan (Stacy) Hill, Shannon (Patrick) Koski, Tyler McNulty, Sarah (Dave) Cook, Kathryn (Justin) Kringstad, Christine (Jeremy) Walth, Kelly (John) Streckert, and Joni, Frances, and Thomas McNulty. Tom is also survived by 13 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Tom was preceded in passing by his father and mother, James and Alma; as well as his siblings, Margaret, Helen, and James. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Light of Christ Catholic School Capital Campaign, 1025 N 2nd St, Bismarck, ND 58501, Catholic Family Services, or donor’s choice.