John J. Mulryan

John J. Mulryan (May 19, 1939-March 23, 2024)

Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Renaissance Literature

Olean—John J. Mulryan of Prospect Avenue passed away peacefully Saturday (March 23, 2024) at Cuba Memorial Hospital, surrounded by his loving family.

John was born in New York City on May 19, 1939.  He was the eldest child of the late Thomas and Ellen Mulryan. He graduated from Irish Christian Brothers High School in Manhattan (1957); Iona College, New Rochelle, BA in English, (1961); Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, MA in English (1963).  He earned his Ph.D. in 1969 at the University of Minnesota. On August 24, 1963, he married Sandra Searle, a fellow graduate student at Marquette, at All Saints Church in Buffalo, New York.

He began his teaching career in August 1966 at St. Bonaventure, retiring in May 2011. He taught courses on Renaissance Literature, both graduate and undergraduate, focusing on Spenser, Sidney, Milton, and Shakespeare. He mentored many graduate students who later became college professors.

John spent many summers traveling to California; Chicago; Princeton; University of Illinois; Florence, Italy; and Washington, DC to research 16th century manuscripts that resulted in countless articles and two double-volume translations: Natale Conti’s Mythologiae (co-translated with Dr. Steven Brown) and Vincenzo Cartari’s Image of the Ancient Gods. He also wrote about John Milton in Through a Glass Darkly and edited Milton and the Middle Ages.  He served as editor of Cithara, a “journal in the Judaeo-Christian tradition,” for 30 years and was president of the Milton Society and active in the New York Chapter of the College English Association (NYCEA).

He loved to swim, run marathons, and to read long books.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years and his children Kathleen (Rick) Mauro, John K. (Laurie) Mulryan, Sandra J. Mulryan, Michael J. (Laura) Mulryan, and Patrick R. (Giuseppe Gullo) Mulryan; his grandchildren: Ashley Mulryan DeSalvo, Julie Mulryan Martin, Andrew Mulryan; James Mauro; Liam and Jacob Mulryan; great-grandchildren Lydia and Asa Martin; daughter-in-law, Kelly Mulryan and several nieces and nephews.

John was predeceased by his parents, Thomas, and Ellen; his siblings Michael, Margaret, Patrick, and Kevin; son Thomas, son-in-law Daniel, and grandson Joseph Mauro.

Friends will be received on Tuesday (April 2, 2024) at the Saint Bonaventure University Chapel from 9-11AM, followed by a Memorial Mass at 11:15AM. Burial will follow in St. Bonaventure Cemetery, with a brief graveside service.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Guenther Funeral Home, Inc., 1303 E. State St, Olean.

Online condolences can be expressed at www.guentherfh.com