John Edward Mullaney, 80, of Hendersonville, North Carolina, died on Friday July 8, 2022 in Autumn Care of Saluda where he was a resident for one and one-half years due to his Dementia Alzheimer's Disease.
John was born January 3, 1942 in New York City, New York. He was the son of John Joseph Mullaney and Irene G. Schad.

At a very early age John was drawn to music and especially the piano.  A friend of the family, who was musical herself, spent time talking to John about music and the piano.  She began giving him some basic lessons and soon realized John had a natural gift and talent for playing the piano.  She expressed these thoughts to his mother and suggested John should be given professional piano lessons.  His mother agreed, the friend found a good teacher, and John excelled quickly under his new teacher.  John began his schooling in the New York Public Schools .  His new piano teacher recognized John's ability to learn and felt he could gain from being in a school that would challenge him and provide more opportunities for his high interest in Music and the Arts.  She was successful in getting John and his younger brother, Ron, full scholarships to The Birch Wathen School in New York City. John graduated from the school in 1960.

John enrolled at Columbia in New York City and funded his college by working in New York City's garment district.  While at Columbia John also developed his tenor voice and sang in various groups as well as playing services for churches in the city. John graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music.
After college John continued his work in the garment district. He applied for and was hired for a job in Hendersonville, North Carolina, with Ruth's Originals, a company which made fancy party dresses for girls. He eventually became Manager/Director of Sales and worked closely with the owner.  He travelled throughout the United States and overseas looking after the company's clients.  The owner sold the business to a French company and John stayed on two years to help in the transition of ownership.

Following his departure, John moved into the Ministry of Church Music. His denomination of choice was the Lutheran Church in which he was raised but his Music Ministry as Organist/Director of Music embraced churches of different denominations. Living four years In New Mexico he played for a Lutheran Church.  Moving back to the area he served Skyland United Methodist Church and served The Lutheran Church of The Good Shepherd in Brevard, North Carolina, for eleven years.  After Brevard John went into semi-retirement but offered himself to serve interim positions for churches in Hendersonville, Saluda, and Tryon, North Carolina.  After playing interim positions, John became a part of the Music Ministry of Hendersonville First United Methodist Church. John joined the Adult Choir, the Chamber Singers, the Solace Choir and The Hendersonville Chorale.  John played one last interim position at St. Pauls Episcopal Church in Edneyville, North Carolina, and played there until his illness prevented him from continuing to do so.

John was a longtime member of the AGO and his membership was in The Blue Ridge Chapter, Hendersonville, NC, and became inactive due to his illness.

John's Ministry of Music reached countless numbers of people in many different congregations.  God used his music to touch people's lives and spirits, giving them hope, courage, and inspiring them all along their journey of life.

John was a veteran serving in the U.S. Army Reserves for six years.

John was preceded in death by his parents, and his younger brother, Ronald Thomas Mullaney.
John is survived by two nephews, Keith Mullaney (Nell) and Shane Mullaney, both of California, and his dearest friend, Donald R. Youmans of Tryon, North Carolina.

Per John's request there will be no service.

Memorials may be made to The Alzheimer's Association by mail - P.O. Box 9601, Washington, D.C.; by phone - 800-272-3900; or online, Alzheimer's Association.com (donate); or to a favorite charity of the donor's choice.
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