Francis E. “Frank” Mullen, Chief, Quincy Police Department, retired, age 85, of Norwell, formerly of Quincy and Hingham, passed away peacefully Friday, March 23, 2018, at the Pat Roche Hospice Home, following a long illness, in the comfort of his loving family. Frank was born in Quincy, to the late Francis J. and Rose (Messenger) Mullen. He was a graduate of the former Sacred Heart High School in Weymouth where he was an all-scholastic athlete in basketball. He later earned an associate’s degree in Communications from Boston University, a master’s degree in Criminal Justice from Anna Maria College, and a Bachelor of Science degree from Northeastern University. He also graduated from the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia, the New England Institute of Law Enforcement Management from Babson College, and the U.S. Army Military Police School in Fort Gordon, Georgia. He proudly served in the United States Navy during the Korean War aboard the heavy cruiser, USS Des Moines, CA-134. Frank began his career in law enforcement by joining the Quincy Police Department in 1956 after the death of his father who was a Quincy patrolman for thirty-five years. He held nearly every position in the department beginning as a walking patrolman, patrol sergeant, detective, juvenile officer, police prosecutor, and director of planning and research. He particularly enjoyed overseeing the police academy at both the recruit and in-service levels. He later taught at Northeastern University and Quincy College. He was an innovator in Police Training throughout the Commonwealth. He was appointed chief of the department on September 6, 1990 and served for seven years before retiring in 1997, after forty-one years of service to the City of Quincy. Frank was an avid N.E. Patriots and Boston Red Sox fan. He was also well-known for his love of running, which he started in 1970. He completed forty-two marathons, his best being the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, D.C. which he completed in three hours and two minutes. Frank enjoyed many years of golfing as a member of the Ponkapoag and Pembroke Country Clubs. He was a proud life member of the South Shore YMCA where he enjoyed many friendships. He was a past commander and gold life member of the Cyril P. Morrisette American Legion Post 294 of Quincy. Most of all, Frank was dedicated to his family. He enjoyed watching his sons hockey games and taking his family on vacations to Disney World, New Hampshire, and Cape Cod. Chief Mullen will be remembered as a quiet man, extremely loyal to his family, friends, and country. Beloved husband for fifty-nine years of Mary E. (Barrett) Mullen, he was the devoted father of Elizabeth Holland and her husband Stephen of Reading, Michael Mullen and his wife Carole of Marshfield, the late Gregory Mullen and his wife Paula of Franklin. Loving grandfather of seven grandchildren. Dear brother of the late Dorothy (Mullen) Earley and also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Visiting hours will be held at the Sweeney Brothers Home for Funerals, 1 Independence Avenue, Quincy, on Monday, March 26, from 3-7 p.m. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. At the request of the family, funeral services and interment will be private. For those who wish, donations in Franks memory may be made to the charity of your choice. You are invited to visit www.thesweeneybrothers.com or call 617-472-6344.
