John Joseph Mullen, Jr. of Plympton, MA, "Jay" to his family and friends, passed away at his home on a beautiful summer afternoon, July 16, 2026. He was 75.

Born to John and Marie Mullen, John grew up in Hanover, MA, where he graduated from Hanover High School in 1969 before attending the University of Massachusetts Boston. As a young man, he traveled across the country, cultivating a lifelong appreciation for the American landscape, its history, and the people who shaped it. Though he never formally studied history, he became a devoted student. He read endlessly, retained an extraordinary amount, and had a gift for turning any question into an engaging lesson. Family and friends knew that asking John about almost any historical subject often meant settling in for a story, and they usually left knowing more than when they started.

John was both an artist and a craftsman. He painted, sketched, created prints, and contributed artwork to a published collection of poetry. He possessed an artist's eye for beauty and a carpenter's hands to bring it to life. As a master carpenter, he devoted more than thirty years to Harvard University, where his skill, precision, and work ethic earned the respect of those around him. He believed that if a job was worth doing, it was worth doing well. That philosophy carried into the three antique homes he lovingly restored throughout his life. Where others saw worn-out buildings, John saw character, craftsmanship, and possibility. He delighted in uncovering the beauty hidden beneath years of neglect and returning old homes to the dignity they deserved.

John took great pride in his Irish heritage and in the family whose story he was helping to write.

John was a man of deep convictions who valued honesty, integrity, and doing things the right way. Though he held strong opinions, disagreements never defined his relationships, and he always found his way back to the people he loved.

Those closest to John also knew his playful side. Beneath his serious demeanor was a dry sense of humor, a quick wit, and an appreciation for simple pleasures. He loved Mozart, classic rock, a good cigar, and an afternoon spent in his garage. In his later years, he found his greatest joy in painting, tending to his hummingbirds, and embracing the role he treasured most: "Papa." Nothing made him prouder than watching his children and grandchildren grow.

John is survived by his wife, Susan Walton; his mother, Marie Mullen; his children, Brian Mullen and Katherine Peloquin; his cherished grandchildren, Maeve Mullen and Westley Peloquin; and his four younger siblings, Regina Hellmuth, Gregory Mullen, Marilyn Mullen, and Janet Mullen.

He was predeceased by his father, John Joseph Mullen, Sr.

Family and friends are welcome to pay their respects during visiting hours on Tuesday, July 28th, from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Shepherd Funeral Home, 216 Main St (Rt. 106), Kingston, MA. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, August 8th at the family homestead, where those who loved him will gather to honor his life and scatter his ashes in a place that held deep meaning to him.