Richard ‘Rick’ Patrick Mullen
July 17, 2023
Peacefully, on July 17, 2023, Richard Patrick Mullen passed away at home at the age of 71. Loving husband of Cathy Roks and dear stepfather of David Lowe (Mandy Lamour). Predeceased by his parents, Patrick and Irene Mullen, and father-in-law, John Roks. Dear son-in-law of Lenie Roks. Caring brother and brother-in-law of Tom Mullen, Jim & Judy Roks, Joanne & Tom Melady, Carolyn & Bill Young, Mieke & Jim Wernham, and Annette & Baird Robinson. Rick will be fondly remembered by his dear friends, Terry West & Mark Defend, Kyle & Lise Goettl, Mike MacDonald, Jim Maxwell, Bob Parsons, Jack Orange, Jerry and Nick Rychlo. He was a kind and interested uncle to many nephews and nieces.
Rick was a medical social worker at St. Mary’s and Parkwood Hospital for 25 years, after obtaining his Honours in Biology and Master in Immunology degrees at Western University, and then a Master of Social Work degree at University of Toronto. Rick will be remembered as a great cook, an avid photographer, an eager traveller, and for his enjoyment for unusual monster movies!
Many thanks for the dedicated care by the LHSC Nephrology and Transplant teams for their more than 50 years of support; Dr. Laura Lyons at St. Joseph’s Family Medical Centre; HCCSS SW, especially NP, Nancy Rigutto; and Dr. James MacLean.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, September 22, 2023 from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. at Westview Funeral Chapel, 709 Wonderland Road North, London. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Kidney Foundation of Canada or a charity of one’s choice are appreciated.
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Rick was an incredible person. From the age of 10 he dealt with kidney problems. He called his dialysis treatments a necessary nuisance. He gained many friends during his visits to the Self-Care Dialysis Centre on Baseline Road. He made even more friends with the nurses who supervised his home dialysis. Having no known blood relatives and possessing an incredible immunology background, he waited for the perfect match. On March 1, 1990 Dr. Chin transplanted his new kidney. This gave Rick a new freedom in his life for the next 33 years. As a medical social worker engaging with stroke and amputee clients, he assisted so many families with tools to navigate their new reality. He guided them to find ways to have a quality of life. Rick will be missed. The gift of a transplanted organ can perform many miracles.
Services for Richard ‘Rick’ Patrick Mullen
Celebration of Life will be held at:
Westview Funeral Chapel
709 Wonderland Road North,
London, Ontario
September 22, 2023 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
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Rick and I go back well over 30 years. He was a friend of the family and then became a close personal friend. When I heard from Cathy of his passing the memories came flooding back. There’s too many to go into but I’d just like to say that he will continue to live on in my mind through the many happy times that we shared. Even though his passing was expected, when it finally happened the news left me feeling sad, and more than a little empty inside. But at least we can all console ourselves in knowing that our dear friend is no longer suffering. RIP Rick Jerry and Sally Rychlo
~ Jerry and Sally Rychlo