Donald Thomas McNulty

Donald Thomas McNulty (LCDR, USCG, Ret.), of 143 Cottonwood Drive, Hertford, NC, passed on to his reward on Wednesday, June 20, 2012, in his home. Born on July 20, 1938 in Wellsville, NY, he was the son of the late Donald Alfred and Agnes Catherine Cole McNulty. Donald grew up on a farm, loved country music, and enjoyed woodworking and camping. Donald entered a distinguished and decorated military career in Lakeview, NY with the United States Air Force and then he transferred to the United States Coast Guard and completed 29 years of honorable service on January 1st of 1985. He then entered the private sector workforce and served with Southland Corporation and as a magistrate with the Commonwealth of Virginia in Craig County, VA. Active in the Parksville Ruritan Club, he attended Bagley Swamp Wesleyan Church, loved his wife and family, and sacrificed much for his community wherever he lived. Most recently in Hertford, he spent a number of years as the "Santa" for the Parksville Ruritan's Santa Tree campaign during the Christmas season. Hundreds of children who would not have otherwise had a Christmas woke up those mornings all those years with gifts to open. Even when donations were not enough to cover all of the children in need, Don was there filling the gap with his own donations and sacrifice. As he ran errands in town, he was affectionately referred to by many, as "Santa". A man of many talents, his most fitting tribute to this life was the family that he assembled, loved and provided for. His family and friends will dearly miss his stories, his laugh, his advice, and his love. Surviving are his beloved wife of 43 years Carol Ann McNulty; his seven children, Donald Thomas McNulty, Jr. and wife Melanie of Clearwater FL., Cherie Wilder and husband Gordon of Hertford, Michael McNulty and wife Kimberly of Smithfield, VA, Randy McNulty and wife Kimberly of Fredericksburg VA, Tim McNulty and wife Michelle of Puyallup, WA, Karin Cauffman and husband Troy of Elizabeth City, and Sharon Snow and husband Jim of Hertford; a sister, Pat Wagner of Sebring, FL; a brother, Rick Travis of Western NY.; 27 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and a host of extended family, friends and colleagues. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his step-father, Richard Travis. A celebration of his life will be held Saturday at 2:00 p.m. in the Miller & Van Essendelft Funeral Chapel, 1125 Harvey Point Road, Hertford, by Pastor James Spaugh. Friends may join the family in the funeral home immediately following the chapel service and all other times at the residence. Memorial contributions in his memory may be made to the Salvation Army or to Bagley Swamp Wesleyan Church, 484 Bagley Swamp Road, Hertford, NC 27944, or to any local Ruritan organization.