Joseph W. Mulroy, 89, of St. Louis, Missouri, formerly of Beaver County, passed away on Wednesday, February 26th, 2025 in The Plaza at Wildwood Senior Living of St. Louis, Missouri.
He was born in St. Petersburg, Florida on March 24th, 1938, the son of the late Andrew R. Mulroy and Mary Gallagher Mulroy. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his special in-laws, Michael and Ann Ehnatko. He is survived by his former wife and best friend, Karen (Ehnatko) Mulroy of St. Louis, Missouri, a sister and a brother-in-law, Mary Pat (John) Tress of Beaver, brother-in-law, Edward Geraghty of Dayton, Ohio and seventeen beloved nieces and nephews. He cherished spending time with his canine friends and will be missed by “Sock”, his last pet. He was also preceded in death by his beloved canine friends and companions: Fluffy, Susie l, Susie ll, Chopper, Kyrian, Lima, Nicky, Luka, and Misha.
His mother and two sisters relocated back to Beaver County, Pennsylvania when he was a young child after the death of his father. Following his graduation from Beaver Falls High School, He did his undergraduate studies at St. Vincent College, Latrobe PA, and graduate studies at the University of West Virginia School of Law. He taught for one-year in the Beaver Falls School District and was appointed under a Federal/State/County funded pilot program as Director of Aging to work with community agencies and people to promote and establish new alternative services for the elderly such as foster homes, day care centers, Meals on Wheels, Etc. Programs which in the early 1960’s mostly did not exist in the country. In this groundbreaking endeavor he was recognized statewide and nationally as a pioneer and innovator in the development and implementation of new programs and services for the elderly. His career in the healthcare industry, in various capacities, spanned over 36 years.
From 1972-74 he served as Executive Vice-president of the Medical Center of Beaver County. In 1974 he was appointed President/CEO of the Medical Center (now known as the Heritage Valley Health System). He was instrumental in overseeing the merger of the former United Hospital (Beaver Falls Providence and New Brighton Beaver Valley General Hospitals) and (Rochester General Hospital). He was singled out by the hospital’s board for directing the move, planning, construction, and opening of the Medical Center in Brighton Township in the mid-1970s. He played a pivotal role in planning and expanding the range of medical specialties, services, programs, and departments at the new Brighton Township Medical Center, many previously unavailable locally. Another highlight during his tenure at the Medical Center was his active hands on involvement in the recruitment of a significant number of new physicians representing a wide range of specialties and the establishment of the hospital’s Family Practice Residency Program and the personal recruitment of one of the leading, nationally recognized cancer medical practice groups to develop, establish and relocated to the Medical Center He always singled out and praised his board for their support and vision in changing the healthcare landscape in Beaver County and never forgot to credit the hospital’s medical staff, employees, and volunteers for making the merger, move, and operation possible and successful.
Prior to joining the Medical Center of Beaver County in 1972 he served as Chief Executive Officer of the Beaver County Home and Hospital (now known as Friendship Ridge) of Brighton Township. He was a nationally recognized leader in the transformation of the nursing home industry and in the field of geriatrics. While at the county facility he was credited with developing and instituting a number of services and programs for the patients and residents previously not available at the facility and at that time only being offered in a few nursing homes in the country. Some of the groundbreaking programs and services included: occupation therapy, diversional therapy, full-time medical staff, establishment of a volunteer auxiliary, patient escort service, snack/gift shop, beauty/barber shop, chapel, a wide range of recreational activities, audiology, optometry, podiatry clinics, and an in-house lab and pharmacy. In the 60’s he established a dedicated section of the facility accredited as a general hospital by the State of Pennsylvania to qualify for Medicare funding for long-term care services previously not covered, to name a few. He always singled out the Beaver County Board of Commissioners, especially the late Senator James E. Ross, Eli Corak, Arthur Pettibon, James Camp, and Bud Pettibon for their support and making the resource available to bring these programs and service to fruition.
His last stint in the healthcare industry was as inaugural President/CEO of St. Louis based AmeriNet from 1986-1997. While at AmeriNet he oversaw the merger of four regional healthcare group purchasing organizations. During his 12-year tenure at the helm of one of the largest GPOs, nationwide annual sales escalated from $276 million in 1986 to over $4.1 billion at the end of 1997. In 1997 the GPO served more than 8,300 hospitals and related medical facilities in all 50 states, representing more than 353,500 beds.
Following retirement from the healthcare industry he along with a partner owned and operated Birdhouse & More, a retail store specializing in backyard birding supplies and then Carmody’s, a local irish neighborhood bar and restaurant. Both businesses were located in the West County St. Louis, Missouri area.
During his career he actively participated in some 38 local, statewide and national community, civic, professional, governmental, educational, and religious boards and agencies. He was past president of the Beaver-Butler-Lawrence County Chapter of the American Red Cross and spearheaded the move, relocation, and construction of the Chapter’s Brighton Township Headquarters. He was the inaugural president of the Pennsylvania State Licensure Board of Nursing Home Administrators. He was a past President of the Serra Club of Beaver County encouraging and fostering vocations for the Catholic priesthood.
In addition, he served on the Board of the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh newspaper, “Pittsburgh Catholic” and as a Diocesan Conciliator of the Diocese of Pittsburgh. Other memberships and officer positions included: Slippery Rock State University Board of Directors, Beaver County Mental Health Society, Christmas Seal League of Southwestern Pennsylvania, the Boy Scouts of America-Allegheny Trails Council, Beaver County Chapter of the American Cancer Society, Beaver Valley Chamber of Commerce, Beaver Credit Bureau, Peoples Home Saving Bank, past President of the Pennsylvania Association of County Healthcare Administrators, Beaver County Mental Health and Mental Retardation and the Hospital Council of Western Pennsylvania. He was a past member of Seven Oaks Country Club, the former Beaver Valley Country Club, Beaver Falls Rotary Club. A Life Member of Beaver Falls Elks Lodge# 348 and the Ballwin, MO VFW Auxiliary. He was a charter member of St. Philomena Roman Catholic Church, Beaver Falls. In his lifetime he was honored by numerous organizations for his dedication, work, and tireless efforts on their behalf and in fulfillment of their respective missions.
A funeral memorial Mass will be celebrated on Monday, March 10th at 10 A.M. at Saints Peter and Paul Roman Catholic Church, 200 3rd Street, Beaver, with Father Howard Campbell officiating. At his request, there will be no public visitation or funeral home service, private interment will be held later.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his name to the Beaver County Humane Society, P.O. Box 63, Monaca, PA 15061, or a charity of choice.
Professional services were entrusted to CORLESS-KUNSELMAN FUNERAL SEERVICES, LLC, 3801 4th Avenue, Beaver Falls.
He was a very outgoing person who loved life, family, helping people, and animals.
