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Mr. Mullen was born January 26, 1932 in Batavia, a son of the late Earl W. and Terresa (Wooster) Mullen.

Easily recognizable by his trademark Stetson Cowboy Hat, Robert was a long-time member of Northgate Free Methodist Church, and recently was attending Roanoke Community Church in Stafford where he was active as the music director. 

Mr. Mullen was proud of the community in which he lived and spent most of his life living on the Mullen Family Farm in Stafford.

Bob was a farmer.  He and Helen spent three years living in Arizona where he worked as a ranch hand and the two owned a small milk store, the Ro-Kay Dairy.

When an injury prevented him from physically performing farm work, he began coursework at Roberts Wesleyan College.  After obtaining a degree in social work, Robert became a teacher with BOCES and taught special education in several school districts in Monroe County until transferring into the Churchville-Chili Schools where he retired after 22 years in 1994. 

Following his retirement, he took a part time position with BOCES of Genesee County teaching the GED Course at the Genesee Co. Jail where he had an exceptional pass rate.  This was largely due to his unique experiential style of teaching that allowed students to connect with the material in a real-world sense rather than purely hypothetical.  He retired from this position at the age of 80 after 18 years.

A proud but humble man, Bob's passions were farming, horses, and children.  He would often stop to give any child he encountered a quarter and say hello.  He was a 65+ year 4-H Leader and was instrumental in developing the 4-H Tractor and Machine Safety Program in Genesee County.  He was a long time member of the Genesee Co. Fair Board, the Stafford Grange #416, Genesee Pomona Grange #10, as well as the NYS and National Grange.  He served as a Junior Leader with the Stafford Grange. 

He was a longtime volunteer with the Salvation Army and together with Helen was proud to have been a sponsor of a child through International Childcare Ministries for many years.  He was active with the former Genesee Co. Churches United Jail Ministry.  For many years he served as the Stafford Historian and Zoning Officer and was active with the Genesee Co. Senior Foundation.

Due in no small part to all of his associations, volunteer work, and dedication to his community, it is no surprise that Bob was honored as Geneseean of the Year in 2006 by the Genesee Co. Chamber of Commerce. 

He is survived by his wife, Helen H. (Hunt) Mullen, whom he married July 12, 1953; a daughter, Jacqueline (Eladio Montalvo) Mullen of Puerto Rico; sons, Robert W. (Regina) Mullen, II of Stafford, and Richard (Debbie) Spink of CA; brothers, Theodore (late Jane) Mullen of Freeville, and Lester (Barbara) Mullen of Stafford; a sister, Nancy (James) Clarq of Phelps; a brother-in-law, Herbert (Bunnie) Call of LeRoy; sisters-in-law, Gari Mullen of NM, and Dodie Mullen of Australia.  11 grandchildren, 1 great-grandchild, along with several nieces, nephews, and cousins. 

Bob is preceded in death by a great-granddaughter, Jaselis Camacho; brothers, Earl William, Roy, and John Mullen; sisters, Zelda Sipher, Louise Phelps, Lyla Stephens, Eleanor McCrumb, Arlene Call, Mary Ann Mullen, and Ruth Mullen.

Friends may call on Wednesday from 10 to 1 p.m. at H.E. Turner & Co. Funeral Home, 403 East Main St., Batavia, where Robert’s Funeral Service will immediately follow calling at 1:00 p.m.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Cornell Cooperative Extension, 4-H Tractor Certification Program, 420 East Main Street, Batavia, NY 14020.  Burial will take place in Morganville Cemetery, Stafford.

Please leave a condolence, share a story or light a candle at www.bataviafuneralhomes.com.

In addition to her parents, Millie is predeceased by her loving husband Calogero “Charlie” Pilato who passed away in 1988; a sister Giovanna Tutino; brothers in law Guiseppe Coco and Frank Pilato; sisters in law Rosina DiSalvo and Josephine Coco.  

Millie enjoyed cooking and baking many Italian specialties, especially “Millie’s” Pizza and Ossi di Morte cookies.  She was a seamstress for Alexanders Department Store in Batavia and her passion for sewing began in Italy where she was trained.  Millie was known for her love of God in her life, those that loved her knew they would always be fed and prayed for.  She was member of St. Anthony’s Church, Notre Dame Prayer Group, St. Joseph’s Table, the Alter and Rosary Society, St. Nick’s Club along with St. Michael’s Society.

She is survived by her three daughters; Paula (Thomas) Pilato Mullen of Virginia Beach, Anna Pilato of Fairfax, VA and Josette Pilato of Batavia; brothers Franceso DiSalvo of Penfield and Antonino DiSalvo of Italy; brother in law Alfonso Tutino of Italy, sister in law Antonina Pilato of Fairport, brother and sister in law Dr. Philip and Frances Pilato of Camp Hill, PA; her beloved granddaughter Katherine Elizabeth Mullen of VA along with many nieces And nephews.

Family and friends are invited to call on Monday February 8, 2016 from 3:00PM-7:00PM at Gilmartin Funeral Home & Cremation Company, Inc. 329-333 West Main Street Batavia, New York 14020. A 9:30AM Mass of Christian Burial will be held Tuesday February 9, 2016 at Resurrection Parish (St. Mary’s) 18 Ellicott St. Batavia, NY 14020. She will be entombed in St. Joseph’s Mausoleum in Batavia.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family. For more information please call 585-343-8260 or to leave a message of condolence please visit www.gilmartinfuneralhome.com.  Arrangements completed by Gilmartin Funeral Home & Cremation Company, Inc. 329-333 West Main Street Batavia, New York 14020.