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 High School, Hazleton; and Hazleton Senior High School.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary, Overbrook, and a licentiate in sacred theology from Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome.

He was ordained to the priesthood July 16, 1961, at Church of the Twelve Apostles, Rome, by The Most Rev. Martin J. O’Connor, then rector of Pontifical North American College, Rome.

His was a parochial vicar for Immaculate Conception Church, Jim Thorpe, and Saint Bartholomew Church, Brockton. He was a professor at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary, Emmitsburg, Md.; a diocesan director of programs for Priestly Life and Ministry, with residence at Our Lady of Hungary Rectory, Northampton; director of Permanent Diaconate Program; and administrator then pastor for Saint Joseph Church, Jim Thorpe.

He was a diocesan censor of books; director of Diocesan Health Affairs; and a member of the board of directors of Holy Family Villa for priests.

He had a pivotal role in the formation of 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.