Donald James Mulligan

Donald James Mulligan, 75, of Ocala, Florida, passed away on March 9th, 2024.  Don was born on July 13, 1948, to Kathleen and Donald P. Mulligan in Lowell, Massachusetts.  His parents moved their family to North Miami Beach, Florida in 1955.  He attended Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida, joined Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity, and graduated with a B.A. in Marketing/Management in 1969.  Don returned to North Miami Beach, Florida in 1970, during this time he joined the Army Reserves and served his country starting in 1971 until he was honorably discharged in 1977.  

Don entered the banking industry in 1972, starting at Chase Federal Savings and Loan as a manager trainee, working his way up to Branch Loan Officer, Loan Officer/New Business Development, and Secondary Market Operations/Loan Officer Business Development.  From 1977-1999, his professional career included executive and senior executive positions with Chase Federal, Citizens Savings Financial Corporation, Loan America Financial Corporate, and Homecomings Financial Network.

Don was a lifetime member and served on the Board of Trustees at the Miami Zoological Society, then known as the Metro Zoo, now Zoo Miami.  He was an active member, volunteer, officer and Board of Director for various professional organizations such as the Mortgage Bankers Association of America, National Association of Mortgage Brokers, and F.A.M.B Gold Coast Chapter Trade Show.  Throughout his professional career he was very active, investing in the South Florida community and its development through means of fundraising and various large financial donations.  Don was awarded the Who’s Who certificate in the South and Southwest in 1984/1985 & 1985/1986.

In 1990, Don and his family moved to Parkland, Florida, and over the years he also lived in the surrounding areas of Coral Springs and Deerfield Beach.  He moved to Ocala in 2016 where he happily lived the remainder of his days.  He prided himself on spending time with family and actively keeping in touch with those he encountered throughout his lifetime.  He is described as “always showing up and making others feel as though they mattered”.  He enjoyed attending live music events and building various collections of movies, four decades of National Geographic magazines, matchbooks, thimbles, roly poly toys, Royal Copenhagen plates, Jim Shore decor, and model trains.  He also enjoyed genealogy, puzzles, and cheering for the Florida State Seminoles.

Don is survived by his fiancée Eve Memoli, children Mackenzie Varvil and Kyle Mulligan, grandchildren Declan, Gavin, Delaney, Kalette and Eralyn, sister Maureen Dobbins, along with many in-laws, nieces and nephews.