Pasquale R. "Pat" Mula

Waltham – Retired Waltham Deputy Fire Chief Pasquale R. "Pat" Mula died Thursday, December 17, 2015 at Concord Health Care Center. He was 89.

Pat was born in Waltham on October 19, 1926, a son of the late Alphonse and Mary (Lunetta) Mula, and had been a lifelong resident. After graduating from Waltham High School in 1944 he joined the United States Navy and served for the duration of World War II.

In September, 1950 he married the love of his life, Waltham native Virginia B. Vincello, in Saint Charles Borromeo Church, and the pair made Waltham their lifelong home. Eight years later he took the job of a lifetime when he was appointed a Waltham Firefighter. Pat loved being a fireman and the job loved him.

He rose through the ranks eventually becoming a department deputy chief, a position he held until his retirement in 1990. Pat was also an instructor at the fire academy and helped to author training manuals used by the recruits.

While he was in the Navy he learned the barbering trade and that became his second profession throughout his life. For years he worked at Joe O' Connell's Barber Shop on Lexington Street and after that with his brother and best friend, Al Mula, on Moody Street. Over the years, between working at the firehouse, barbering thousands of heads or meeting friends of his seven children, Pat got to know almost every family in the city and was universally liked by everyone he met. He was, in the truest sense, a gentleman and a gentle man . . . strong and true.

Pat was also a talented drummer and could find a beat on everything from a snare drum to the kitchen table. He was devoted to his family and to his faith. He was possessed of a terrific sense of humor and loved to golf and to bowl and to dance. Pat was a self-taught woodworking craftsman and loved to read. In short, there weren't a lot of things he couldn't do, or at least have fun trying.

He had been a member of the Dante Alighieri Lodge No. 648, OSIA, in Waltham, the Joseph F. Hill American Legion Post No. 156 in Waltham, the Lexington Elks, Lodge No. 2204 and the International Association of Fire Fighters, Local 866.

In addition to his wife of sixty-five years, Virginia, he leaves his children, Christine Mirabito and her husband, Roy, of Waltham, Patrick "Rick" Mula of Kingsport, Tennessee, Philip Mula of Clearwater, Florida, Dolly D'Orazio and her husband, Tom, of Stow, Joanne Anderson and her husband, Scott, of Pepperell, Marie Mortimer and her husband, Wayne, of Londonderry, New Hampshire and Michelle Mula Cristofori and her husband, Jimmy, of Waltham; his grandchildren, Kristen Mullin and her husband, Andrew, Laura Howard and her husband, Daniel, Jacqueline Rogers and her husband, Christopher, Jessica Mula Howard and her husband, Brian, Maryanna Caton and her husband, Justin, Ricky Mula, Brett Mula, Adam Mula, Tyler Mula, Joanna D'Orazio, Chelsea Anderson, Clay Anderson, T.J. Kendrick, Blake Kendrick, Jesse Cristofori, Corey Cristofori and Allie Cristofori; his brothers and sister, Carmen Mula of Somerville, James Mula of Waltham and Barbara Miles of Shrewsbury; 12 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Pat was also a brother of the late Alphonse Mula, Jeannette DiGrace and Anna Clow.

Family and friends will honor and remember Pat's life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Tuesday, December 22nd from 4 to 8 p.m. and again at 9 a.m. on Wednesday morning before leaving in procession to Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted Church, 880 Trapelo Road, Waltham where his Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Burial will follow in Mount Feake Cemetery, Waltham.

Memorial donations may be made to the Waltham Firefighters Welfare & Relief Association, 175 Lexington Street, Waltham, MA 02452.