Donald Mulsoff Obituary

Its been 15 years since Father Donald Mulsoff passed, probably 30 more since we last talked but I can remember the Saint Catherine days like yesterday. Father Donald Mulsoff (or privately we called him sloff) was a good, respected, kind man; all the virtues that every person could / should emulate.

Father Don had a positive affect on my life and I am sure others. I have no doubt that Father Don is in heaven with God; I hope one day we can meet so I can thank him for all his service.

I'm very sorry to hear that Fr. Don has passed. He took many of us under his wing at Mary Queen of Heaven. He was not only our Cool parrish priest he was like a real Father "Pops" to many of us. At least I know that he lived life to the fullest and always helped to make people laugh in the face of the saddest or most difficult times, while also helping to deal with the reality of the situation. His presence on this earth will be missed. My mother and I will always be extremely greatful to God for bringing us Fr. Don in our time of need.

Holy Mother Church permits us the sweet, holy custom in honoring our beloved Faithful Departed, and it is called "Month's Mind."



One month after a person's passing, we remember our departed loved one preferably at Holy Mass, or through some other spiritually relevent, community celebration. We celebrate the life that was well lived, and we rejoice in the New Life that is just now beginning.



So it is with this holy thought in mind that I invite you to join in this "Month's Mind" rememberence, in celebration of and thanksgiving for the life of one of the greatest priests I ever knew:

The Reverend

Donald John Mulsoff,

B.A., S.T.B., S.T.L.,

Archdiocese of Chicago,

Class of 1969.

I was at a party over the weekend with some old St. Catherine friends. I was stunned to hear that Fr. Mulsoff passed away. I guess he was an older man at this point, but, as has been re-called by many here, he was a young man when we knew him. I am reading that many remember him that way. He was in charge of the altar boys in the parish, which involved training them and assigning them to the various masses they would serve. He exuded youth and vitality, and this was passed along to the boys who served (there were no girl servers at the time). Being an altar boy really meant something, and in a real sense, Fr. Mulsoff played a part in rearing them. When he left to go (I think to St. Celestine's), they did not know the gift they were getting, and from what I have read, they also realized it. I know when he left, he had a party in the basement of the school; he had such a hard time leaving "his kids" behind. But it was time to move on then, and it is now time for him to move on again.

When I heard that Fr. Mulsoff had passed, I immediately relived the time spent with him at St. Catherine of Alexandria in Oak Lawn. He was an inspired man, and he touched me in ways I never would have expected as an elementary school student. He was both spiritual and "hip," with his gentle, non-traditional demeanor and love for the electric guitar. I accompanied him on piano a few times, and credit his inspiration in part for becoming a professional musician. Now as a fully-developed pianist, i'm sure he would have liked to have played with me again, and i would have liked that opportunity, and an opportunity to thank him. While other faculty are easier to forget, Fr. Don had a way of getting inside you and awakening parts of you that had never yet been touched. He will be missed, and he's certainly left his mark on me for the rest of my days. May he rest in peace.

Condolences are in order. Of course Father Donald's death came as a surprise. Catherine's was never the same after he left. Knowing what an impression he made on the parish must have made it hard for him to leave. Some of the kids he took under his wing even had him perform their wedding vows. Until his death some of them stayed in touch with him. Carrying the responsibility for our guidance came easily to him. Knowledge of spiritual matters was what he prided himself on. Everyone who came into contact with him must have a story to tell. Remembering him long after his death will not be difficult.

People often forget what a person means to others. Everyone deserves that recognotion. Don is noexception. Often he gave his time to the parishoners which may have gone unnoticed by some. Personally, I remember him as the fun yong priest. He did a lot of things that the older priests and parishoners probably viewed as "too modern". I know that he was instrumental (no pun intended) in bringing the guitar mass to St. Catherine's, and that was something that was certainly not even considered befor his arrival. Let's remember him that way. "Each in our own memory, (Fr. Mulsoff) is found"

It seems as if God only takes the good ones....I am sure the Kingdom of heaven is now better off with Father Mulsoff entertaining himself amongst the young Angels...he will be sorely missed....especially by those young souls whom he taught so much....

Our deepest condolences to Fr. Mulsoff's family. He married us at St. Mary and we will never forget him for starting our life together. Now we have 2 beautiful children, and would have loved for them to have met him and felt his warmth. He will be missed and fondle remembered. Now he is with the Lord. -Dan & Wilma Astromus

Fr. Mulsoff's sudden passing came as a shock. A young man when he came to St. Catherine, "Fr. Don" felt kids needed more than was provided by the older priests. He often gave them more than they gave in return. He touched so many kids in ways not known or understood by many by many. Don was in love with the guitar group that performed at St. Catherines as well, when that was not popular with the "old guard". Even the most disaffected child was touched by Fr. Don, and will never forget him for it.

Don was good man that was very good with children. He will be missed.

Don was a good classmatge in the seminary. We had many good times together.

Our deepest sympathy to our cousin's Dennis & Larry.

Fr. Donald has been called by the Lord a second time to serve in a higher position.

Just learned of the loss of another member of the Mulsoff family. Our thoughts and prayers go to him and his family.

Father Don Mulsoff was my friend,

and my "unofficial" mentor in the seminary. He never held me to a standard that he himself wasn't ready to "hold to" himself. He was orthodox, but he was pastoral in the exercise of that orthodoxy. His greatest joy was to see any "pre-adult" young man or woman "bloom into" a mentally healthy, faith-filled adult.




I am so proud of him. He knew the truth, and ... he knew God "knew."

That was good enough for him.

Father Mulsof was an exception priest and friend. I too was part of the Saturday night gitar group at St. Catherine's and will never forget how he always found the time for all of us regardless of how much he had to get done. He will be greatly missed.

OUR SYMPATHIES TO ALL OF FATHER DON'S FAMILY.HE WAS ONE GREAT FRIEND AND A WONDERFUL PRIEST, HE MARRIED US AT ST.MARY OF PERPETUAL HELP CHURCH.AND LATER DANCED THE POLKA.. MAY GOD KEEP HIM IN THE PALM OF HIS HAND.

wish to express our condolences at the loss of Father Don - was a shock Remember him well from Mary Queen of Heaven in Cicero - because he married us - he was a good man - and will be missed

My sympathy to Fr. Don family at their loss of a very dear brother. I was taught by Fr.Don at St. Catherine of Alexander in the late 60's and will miss him a great deal. He was a good priest to me and many others at our school. He is now at rest with Christ in heaven.

My sympathies, Dennis and Larry! Fr. Don was a wonderful priest - I miss our fishing trips and the times he would say Mass for us at Trinity High School

I recall riding the Fullerton Avenue bus with my high school classmates, the two "Dons" from Our Lady of Grace parish--Don Mulsoff and Don Lund. Don was my more experienced partner on the Quigley debate team. I remember and will miss Don. Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord. And, may perpetural light shine upon him.

Don and I were ordained together. I haven't seen him since that day. But I remember him fondly—a good man.

My sympathies to Fr. Mulsoff's brothers. I just recently had talked to him and he was relating all the things you all were doing together, fishing and golfing. He was a good friend to quite a few of us at St. Catherine's guitar group in the '70 (even though his singing needed some work!)He will be very much missed.

Fr. Don was a great asset to St. Celestine. He will be missed

You and Don are in my prayers. Karen Polizos

Donald is certainly at peace with his Lord and Savior. We pray that he finds eternal rest in heaven.

Accept our sympathy for your loss. He was a good person to work with.