The Reverend Monsignor James J. Mulligan, 79, died Feb. 29, 2016, at Holy Family Manor, Bethlehem. Born in Hazleton, he was the son of the late Edmund and Rose (Dougherty) Mulligan.

He attended Beaver Meadows Public School, Beaver Meadows; Harman Junior HS, Hazleton; and Hazleton Senior HS. He earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary, Overbrook; and a Licentiate in Sacred Theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome.

He was ordained to the priesthood on July 16,1961, at the Church of the Twelve Apostles, Rome, by The Most Reverend Martin J. O’Connor, then rector of the Pontifical North American College, Rome, Italy. His was a parochial vicar for Immaculate Conception Church, Jim Thorpe, and Saint Bartholomew Church, Brockton. He was a professor at Mount Saint Mary Seminary, Emmitsburg, Md.; a diocesan director of Programs for Priestly Life and Ministry,with residence at Our Lady of Hungary Rectory, Northampton; director, Permanent Diaconate Program; administrator, then pastor, for Saint Joseph Church, Jim Thorpe.

He was a diocesan Censor of Books; director, Diocesan Health Affairs; and a member of the board of directors of the Holy Family Villa for priests. He had a pivotal role in the formation of the Allentown Guild of the Catholic Medical Association in 2009.

He is survived by a sister, Mary Mulligan of Lehighton; two brothers, Eugene and his wife Alice of Jim Thorpe and Edmund and his wife Martha of Lehighton; two nephews; five nieces, including Sister Rose Mulligan, I.H.M; two grand-nieces; and five grand-nephews.

Arrangements were made by Reichel Funeral Home Inc., Northampton.