Joseph (“Joe”) A. Mullaney III, Esq., age 49, of Wilmington, Del. went home to the Lord on Sunday, May 14, 2023, with his loving family by his side.
Joe was born in Aston, Pa. He was the eldest son of Joseph A. and Ann B. Mullaney II nee Brady. Joe graduated from Salesianum School in Wilmington, Del. in 1992. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Loyola University in 1996, his master’s degree from Wilmington University in 1998 and his juris doctorate degree from Widner University School of Law in 2001.
After graduating law school, Joe established his own law firm in 2001, fiercely advocating for the consumer rights of those living in the greater Philadelphia Area. He served on both the membership and ethics committees of the National Association of Consumer Advocates. He was recognized as one of the leading lawyers in the U.S. on consumer debt and litigation. His peers described him as highly principled, well prepared, thorough, articulate, calling him a warrior advocate for consumer rights. He was devoted to helping the underserved. In 2015, Joe changed his career path to work in the banking industry where he continued his work of protecting consumers by ensuring bank compliance with consumer rules and regulations. Most recently, Joe worked at JP Morgan Chase as a control manager.
Joe was a kid at heart, and he had a remarkable curiosity and thirst for learning. He taught himself many subjects and loved to teach anyone who would listen. His mastery of punctuation and grammar was second only to his elementary school teachers at Immaculate Heart of Mary School. He tutored all his siblings growing up, especially in Math, English and Spanish. He had a passion for different languages and taught himself Spanish, French, and Italian. He loved the sciences, and he was passionate about the law and justice. He was an attentive listener and prescribed thorough and complete advice to many. He was quite the instigator and loved playing pranks. He enjoyed reminiscing, as well as telling the funniest stories, some of which were tall tales with so much detail that you had no choice but to accept your role in them. Joe had a way to make your participation, voluntary or not, feel real and leave everyone in stitches. He loved vacationing at the beach, swimming in the ocean, and animals, especially his fur baby dog, Kelsey.
Joe joins his beloved sister-in-law, Amy Renee Mullaney nee Righino, who predeceased him in 2007. He is survived by his loving parents, Joseph A. and Ann B. Mullaney II nee Brady. He is also survived by his sister Ann Marie Mullaney of Milford, Del., brother, Michael (Amy) of Pittsburgh, Pa., nephew, Michael, brother, Daniel Mullaney of Millsboro, Del.; sister, Kathleen Mullaney of Redwood City, Calif. Joe is missed by many devoted aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, and colleagues.
Joe will be greatly missed, but his legacy will certainly live on in the many lives he touched. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, May 19, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church located at 4701 Weldin Rd, Wilmington, DE 19803. Visitation will be between 10:00 and 11:00 am. The burial will be at All Saints Cemetery, 6001 Kirkwood Highway, Wilmington, Del. 19808.
In lieu of flowers, the family would greatly appreciate contributions made in memorial of Joe to Salesianum School Scholarship Fund.
For online condolences visit: www.mccreryandharra.com
