Stanley Francis Mullins

Predeceased by wives Mary Olive Dion Mullins 1928-1966, married 1952-1966 and,

Mary Margaret Conway Stonehill Mullins, 1927-2006, married 1969-2006.

Survived by ten children, multiple grand and great grandchildren.

Survived by his sister Rita Catherine Collins 103 years young.

Resident of Eastpointe for nearly 70 years.

In lieu of flowers please donate to the Capuchin Soup Kitchen in Detroit.

Stanley Francis Mullins was born on the Mullins’ Homestead in Woodslee, Ontario on August 6th, 1922. When eighteen he was drafted into the Canadian Army during WW2. While in Halifax waiting for his ship to leave for Europe, the Battle of the Bulge ended, and more troops were not needed. With a huge sigh of relief, Stanley boarded a train for a 4600 mile trip to Vancouver Island.

After the war, he attended Assumption College (University of Windsor) in Windsor ON and after earned a Bachelor's Degree in Business at the University of Detroit. He talked about being attracted to the big city lights of Detroit that he could see from Woodslee, and wanted to make his life there. Stan worked the third shift at Briggs to pay his way through school in Detroit. He owned many types of businesses in Detroit over the years, starting with a confectionery business then clothing and finally convenience stores. His store survived the 1967 riot.

Stan fell in love and married Mary Olive Dion in 1952. They had six children that survived childhood. Mary Olive passed away in 1966 a few days after Carolyn was born. Stan was left to raise five boys and a newborn daughter on his own. Mary Olive Dion's family was instrumental in helping Stan raise the youngest children by taking them into their own homes and continuing to offer moral support to Stan. The two oldest, Chuck 11 and Leo 9 were able to live again with Stan after a year with Mary Olive’s parents.

By the grace of God, Stan was able to find love again and married Mary Margaret Stonehill July 21,1969. Mary, a widow, brought four girls of her own (ages 9 - 14) into the marriage. On September 29, 1970, Cathy Therese Mullins was born into this union. (This gave rise to the family having to endure frequent "Yours, Mine and Ours" jokes over the years.)

Mary and Stan insisted that all of their children live with them, and they did their best to provide love and structure to those children who were healing from the traumatic losses in their young lives. And indeed, Mary and Stan did provide that structure. Stan and Mary's house was very modest with much sharing of spaces. Despite this, Stan and Mary would often welcome into their home a child's friend who was going through a difficult time. Through it all, Stan and Mary stayed the course guided by their love for each other and strong faith in God. Stan, in particular, taught his children to work hard and love God, to be kind and thrifty and stick together.

Tragedy struck again and Stan once more had to endure the heartbreak of losing a spouse as Mary passed away in 2006. Stan's love and prayers sustained the family through this loss.

Stanley was an avid gardener with a beautiful garden of vegetables and flowers and fruit trees. He attended daily Mass and was an integral part of the St. Barnabas Church Community for half of a century. He delivered meals on wheels well into his eighties. He always loved to talk of gardening and politics and treasured having family reunions. His proudest accomplishment always was being a loving husband and father. He cherished his eleven children, seventeen grandchildren, and six great grandchildren.

Please share a memory with the family on Stanley's online guestbook.