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Mulvihill, Roger D June 28, 1936 - November 6, 2021

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Roger D. Mulvihill who died at the age of 85 on November 6, 2021. Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on June 28, 1936, to Dennis and Mary Mulvihill (nee Scheib), Roger spent the majority of his life in New York City, Bronxville, NY and Sag Harbor, NY, but he always kept a special place in his heart for the memories of his days playing baseball on the fields of Stanton Heights, PA. On trips back to Pittsburgh, Roger delighted in reenacting for his family highlights of his storied Little League and high school baseball career at each and every field he played on.

Roger left Pittsburgh in 1954 to attend Georgetown University. Little did he know at the time, but his experience at Georgetown would form a life-long love of all things Georgetown. While there he was a member of the baseball team, writer on the school newspaper, and part of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (“ROTC”). Anyone who knew Roger, knew that his love of the Georgetown Hoyas basketball team brought him so much happiness and much heartbreak. He was once spotted at the famous Tombs in Georgetown dancing on a table after a big Hoyas’ win. His great wish before he died was to see just one more great run by the Hoyas to the Final Four. Although he did not get to see it, he was beside himself with joy at the unexpected Hoyas Big East Championship win in 2021. Athletics would always be a major part of Roger’s life and baseball in particular would remain a constant presence. Roger played minor league baseball for the Baltimore Orioles organization, attended his beloved Yankees’ training camp, and loved watching his children and grandchildren play ball.

After graduating from Georgetown, he received his Juris Doctor from Yale Law School, LLM from NYU School of Law, and went on to serve in the United States Army. He earned numerous awards for sharp shooting and was a member of the Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps. It was in the Army where Roger picked up a tennis racket for the first time. He was immediately hooked. He would spend the next 50 years perfecting his strokes on the courts of the Bronxville Field Club, Meadow Club of Southampton and on his home court in Sag Harbor, New York. He loved competition and looked forward to his weekly games that often sounded more like battles than tennis matches when recounted by him. Along with tennis, Roger learned to ski as an adult. He took to it immediately. With his true determination on display, he could be found every winter searching for the perfect fall line.

Off the court and fields, Roger was an accomplished attorney. He loved being a lawyer. The more complex the matter the more interesting to him. Roger began his impressive legal career at Olwine, Connelly, Chase, O’Donnell, Weyher, where he made life-long friends. He joined Dechert LLP as a Partner in the Corporate and Securities Group. At Dechert, Roger started the Private Equity practice and was a member of the firm’s Policy Committee. He represented a wide variety of private equity fund sponsors and principals in fund formation matters. He authored numerous articles and lectured on creative financing and mergers and acquisitions. But perhaps what he was most proud of, was that he was the founder, Captain, and starting pitcher of the Dechert Softball Team for all his years at Dechert, pitching into his late 70s.

In 1970, Roger met his wife, Mary. They would go on to take the world by storm together for the next 50 years. Each supporting the other and creating a world for themselves that neither could have imagined. They raised a family that adored them, traveled the world, and challenged each other each day.

Roger loved to read and ponder the most challenging topics of our lives, he was a true intellectual, a talented athlete, and brilliant attorney, but most of all he was an incredible husband and father. He was an inspiration to his children with his quick wit, intelligence, and determination. Roger always made it clear that his family was most important. Nothing made him happier than to watch his children and grandchildren play the very sports he loved so much, talk to each of them about their interests and of course discuss religion and politics. He will be missed beyond words.

Roger is survived by his wife, Mary, his devoted children, Christopher of Manhattan, Kerry of Fairfield, CT and Suzy of Brooklyn, NY, his daughter-in-law, Kathleen, his sons-in-law, Greg and Henry, his six grandchildren who loved and adored him, Jack, Patrick, Ryan, Darby, Teddy and Lucy, his sister Denise Mulvihill, of Charleston, SC, and a band of in-laws, nieces, and nephews.

A wake will be held on Thursday, November 11 from 5pm-8pm at McGrath and Son Funeral Home in Bronxville, NY. A mass will be held at The Church of Saint Joseph in Bronxville, NY on Friday, November 12 at 10:45am. Roger will be laid to rest at Oakland Cemetery in Sag Harbor, New York.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to:

 

 

 

Calling Hours: 5 to 8 pm, Thursday, November 11, 2021

Mass: 10:45 am, Friday, November 12, 2021 at St. Joseph's Church, Bronxville

In Lieu of Flowers Contributions May Be Made To:

 

 

Condolences(5)

  1. REPLY
    John H. Small says

    Roger was one of the best lawyers and nicest persons with whom I had the pleasure to work in my over 40 years of legal practice. I wish I had been able to work with him more often. He was also a great Hoya! I am sorry that he is gone. John Small (Georgetown ‘68)

  2. REPLY
    Lisa Nasoff says

    Dear Mary and family,
    I was very saddened to learn about Roger’s passing. I worked with him at Dechert, when he first moved over from Olwine, and for some 7 years thereafter. He was not only a mentor, but a person with whom I truly enjoyed working with. While he was truly a brilliant lawyer, from whom I learned so much, it was his sense of humor for which I truly remember him. Whenever I think back on my time as a lawyer, it was working with Roger that always comes to the forefront of my mind. I hope that you find some solace in knowing not only how admired he was as a lawyer, but how he actually touched those he worked with. And he always talked about you, Mary, you could tell how he admired all that you had accomplished. My thoughts have been with you all since I heard the news, and I can only hope that any holes in your heart will be filled with happy memories.
    My sincerest condolences,
    Lisa Nasoff

  3. REPLY
    James Colman says

    A true gentleman, Roger will be missed by the many people whose lives he touched. May his memory be an inspiration for all of us who had the pleasure of knowing him over the years.

  4. REPLY
    Kristen Daly says

    I’m sure it’s true for many people, but Roger was a touchstone for our family. He (and Mary) could talk sense into my father when necessary and yet he was very much up for adventure whether physical or mental challenges. I loved checking in and seeing how the casual, simple pleasures of life are front and center and appreciated. Nice summer days, breezes, friends, family — despite all kinds of great work and accomplishments, priorities were always enjoying and sharing what they had with people they loved. Talking to Roger one would feel heard and paid attention to no matter your age. We will be keeping you all in our thoughts and I’m so sorry for your loss.

  5. REPLY
    Ted Ughetta says

    Dear Mulvihill Family,

    I was so very saddened to hear of Roger’s passing.

    Roger was an amazing mentor, friend and role model to me as a young attorney on his team at Dechert LLP.

    I will always be grateful for his leadership and his generosity of spirit. He was a true inspiration for all of us who had the privilege to work for and alongside him.

    I will also always cherish the memories of our softball and other outings, as Roger always had the uncanny ability to make everyone feel welcomed and encouraged.

    He was a true gentleman, who will be greatly missed. I am sorry for your loss.

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