Rochester - Father John M. Mulligan, a priest of the Diocese of Rochester for 61 years — including 14 years in diocesan administration — died Feb. 9, 2026. He was 87 years old.

Father Mulligan was a native of Rochester's Sacred Heart Parish. He attended St. Andrew's and St. Bernard's seminaries in Rochester and was ordained June 6, 1964, by Bishop Lawrence B. Casey at Sacred Heart Cathedral.

Father Mulligan served as assistant pastor of Immaculate Conception, Ithaca (1964-66); St. Patrick, Corning (1966-71); and St. Mary, Auburn (1971-73). From 1973-81, he was copastor with Father James Boyle at Rochester's St. John the Evangelist, where his parishioners loved him, according to Father Peter Clifford, who with Father Kevin Murphy succeeded Fathers Mulligan and Boyle.

"We had our hands full trying to succeed the two of them in the parish. ... He was just a wonderful human being and a great priest," Father Clifford recalled.

After leaving St. John the Evangelist Father Mulligan served as pastor of St. Stephen, Geneva, as well as chaplain of Hobart and William Smith colleges (1981-83); and pastor of St. Anthony of Padua, Rochester (1983-88). While at St. Anthony, he also directed the diocesan Division of Urban Ministry.

He became the first-ever moderator of the diocesan Pastoral Center in 1988, remaining in that position until 1998.

In 1988, he also was named one of two diocesan vicars general, continuing in that role until the 2012 retirement of the late Bishop Matthew H. Clark. As vicar general, he served on numerous diocesan boards, including the Rochester Catholic Press Association, Inc., publisher of the Catholic Courier.

"He was sort of like a right-hand man of the bishop. He was very dedicated to the position and the responsibilities he had. He was a faithful servant of the diocese," recalled Father Roy Kiggins, who met Father Mulligan in 1952, when both were freshmen at St. Andrew's Seminary.

Father Mulligan was well-suited for his role as vicar general of the diocese, Father Clifford added.

"I think one of his distinguishing qualities was his readiness and ability to listen to you. He was very skilled at listening to people, communicating to people that he was listening to them, and forging forward little by little," Father Clifford said.

Father Mulligan played key roles in many large-scale initiatives during his years in diocesan administration, noted Father Joseph Hart, who in 1998 succeeded Father Mulligan as diocesan vicar general and moderator of the Pastoral Center. Father Mulligan was instrumental in the reorganization of the Pastoral Center's departments and the formation of the Monroe County Catholic school system as well as the launch of such diocesan-wide initiatives as a capital campaign, a pastoral-planning initiative and a synod, Father Hart said.

After leaving the Pastoral Center Father Mulligan was pastor of Most Precious Blood, Rochester (1998-2000); Sacred Heart Cathedral (2000-05); and the Cathedral Community (2005-08). He oversaw the cathedral's extensive renovation, which included the installation of a world-class organ, Father Hart said.

"Father Mulligan was a beloved pastor and an able diocesan administrator who was renowned for his sense of humor," Father Hart said.

Reaching senior status in 2008, he assisted at Holy Trinity, Webster, where he also resided. He later moved to the Sisters of St. Joseph Motherhouse and St. Ann's Home.

Father Mulligan also enjoyed being outdoors, according to Fathers Kiggins and Clifford. Father Kiggins frequently vacationed with Father Mulligan, and their trips often involved hiking, backpacking and canoeing.

Father Mulligan had a great sense of humor, Father Kiggins said. He was also engaging and smart, Father Clifford added.

"I will miss his wisdom and his humor. I will miss his friendship," he said.

Father Mulligan is survived by his sister, Mary (Bob) Burkwit and brothers, Charles (Geri) Mulligan, Jeremiah (Judy) Mulligan and Thomas (Carolyn) Mulligan.

Visitation for Father Mulligan will take place Feb. 15, 2026, from 1:30 to 4 p.m. at Holy Trinity Church, 1460 Ridge Road in Webster. Vespers will follow visitation.

Beginning at 9:30 a.m. Monday, Feb. 16, 2026, visitation will again take place at Holy Trinity. Bishop Salvatore R. Matano, apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Rochester, will preside at Father Mulligan's funeral at 10:30 a.m.

— Courier obituary by Jennifer Burke and Mike Latona