John R. McNulty

John R. McNulty died peacefully at his home on Oct. 19, 2022 at the age of 90. He was a lifelong resident of Laurel. 

John is survived by his three children, Dr. Jennifer M. McNulty of Anchorage, Alaska; Dr. John J. McNulty (Amy) of Bahama, N.C.; and Joanne E. McNulty (David Cona) of Westmont, N.J. He is also survived by seven grandchildren, Benjamin and Nathaniel McNulty, John and Connor McNulty and John, Katherine and Matthew Cona, as well as many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews and godchildren. 

John was preceded in death by his wife, Joan Kaelin McNulty. John and Joan traveled around the United States and Europe and had many grand adventures. They also hosted many gatherings of family and friends, including celebrations at McNulty’s Beach, from whence many happy memories were generated. 

John was the son of John F. and Genevieve R. McNulty of Laurel and brother to Charles J., Frank J. and William E. McNulty. John’s father lived with him after being widowed in 1962; eventually there would be three John McNultys under one roof. John attended Laurel Elementary School, was a 1950 graduate of Mattituck High School, a 1954 graduate of Villanova University and a 1957 graduate of St. John’s Law School. John was admitted to the bar in 1958 and practiced law in Riverhead, N.Y., for over four decades. 

John served in the U.S. Army for three years, was a member of the Laurel school board, was a lifelong member of Sacred Heart Parish, developed a youth soccer league, taught dozens of kids how to water-ski and fish each summer, drove his family cross-country and back, fished for stripers and blues in Plum Gut, read countless books, owned a computer in 1978 and a Tesla in 2021, hosted a bicentennial party — a memory for the ages — had strong opinions about politics and other topics, was exceedingly intelligent and exceedingly generous. He will be greatly missed. 

The family will receive visitors Thursday, Nov. 3, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home in Mattituck. A funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 4, at Our Lady of Good Counsel R.C. Church, with Monsignor Joseph Staudt officiating. Interment will following at Sacred Heart R.C. Cemetery in Cutchogue.

This is a paid notice.