Richard Mulcahey

Mulcahey died peacefully at home on 24 September 2026 at the age of 91, according to reports citing his obituary and coverage by Rockford News First (WIFR). Visitation was set for 1 October 2026 at McCorkle Funeral Home in Durand, with further visitation and Mass at St. Mary's Catholic Church on 2 October and interment at St. Patrick's Irish Grove Cemetery. A public cause of death was not detailed in initial news reports.

Richard Thomas Mulcahey was born on 22 March 1935 in Rockford, Illinois, the son of Robert Mulcahey and Marcella Richardson-Mulcahey. A lifelong resident of northwest Illinois, he attended Saint Thomas Academy. After high school he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and served from 1954 to 1956 in Korea with the 1st Marine Division, completing his service with an honorable discharge. He then earned a Bachelor of Science degree with a history major from Wisconsin State University-Platteville and did graduate work at the University of Illinois. In 1985 he received an honorary doctorate in education from Northwestern University, and in 1990 the University of Wisconsin-Platteville gave him a Distinguished Alumni Award.

Mulcahey began his teaching and coaching career in Galena before settling in Durand, where he continued as a teacher and coach. In 1974 he was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives as a Democrat, serving alongside Robert E. Brinkmeier and Republican Harlan Rigney in the multi-member district system. He sat in the House from 1975 until 1993. Following the Cutback Amendment, he represented the 69th district, which included all of Jo Daviess and Stephenson counties and western Winnebago County. During the 1980s he chaired the House Education Committee and was known as a strong advocate for elementary and secondary education. He also pressed for economic development in the region and helped secure funding for the US 20 Freeport bypass. In 1992 Republican-led redistricting renumbered the district the 74th and redrew it to include portions of Carroll, Ogle and Whiteside counties. After initially planning to retire, Mulcahey sought re-election and lost to Ron Lawfer of the Jo Daviess County Board.

Mulcahey married Anna Mae Mulcahey; by the mid-2000s they had been married nearly five decades and were parents of six children, with numerous grandchildren. Anna Mae died on 28 July 2026 in Durand. In 1995 Mulcahey was ordained a deacon in the Catholic Church and served the parishioners of St. Mary's and St. Patrick's in the Durand and Irish Grove area.

Mulcahey is remembered for a career that joined classroom teaching, Marine service, eighteen years in the Illinois House and later ministry as a deacon. His work on education and the US 20 Freeport bypass was recognized when the 94th General Assembly designated that highway the Dick Mulcahey Highway in 2005. His family's obituary described a life defined by service to country, students, community, faith and family.