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Family of Kevin McNulty, Sr of Matteson, IL

Updated February 7, 2002

About Our Family Research


My father, Charles A. McNulty IV (b 1929 d 1988) [although never referred to as the forth], his mother Irene (Gilligan) McNulty (b 1897 d 1976), my uncle Jim McNulty (b 1922) and I (b 1950) have all had interest in telling stories of our family's past.

My Grandma "Mac" (Irene) wrote numerous stories about the family in Chicago and Momence, IL from 1957 (when she received a typewriter for Christmas) to June 1969.

When my father died and I was visited by my uncle Jim I mentioned to him that I had always heard a lot about the days in Chicago and Momence and even back to my grandmothers time in LaSalle, IL but knew little of my fathers life growing up. In the summer of 1992 I was shocked to receive a very long story of my dad and his brother growing up from Uncle Jim. He is a gifted storyteller and brought the past to life.

My mother, Lorraine (Dupuis) McNulty is a superb storyteller with a memory is very strong. She has told me many stories and a son of my cousin Darrell Langlois has done extensive work on my French side (Dupuis).

I have always dabbled but following my heart attack on January 10, 2002, I decided to seek the past aggressively and attempt to pull together the writings of my dad, the stories of my mother, the writings of my uncle Jim and Grandmother and the research already done by my cousins son and one of my favorite uncles on my mother’s side – Vic Johnson, who is married to my mothers sister, Theresa (Dupuis). Vic is a self-made renaissance man, historian, artist and all around thinker. Once Geneology.com came into being in April 2001, it gave me some additional, powerful resources, which I tapped the very first time I went on line. This site contains what I have learned to date.

 
Family Trees (viewing trees requires 4.0 or later browser)
 
Family Photos
  • Garage Band City! (162 KB)
    My first "organized" band - all from Momence. Left to right is David Valencourt who now lives in Indianapolis. Danny Loftus - he's not too much taller today. Me on Drums and Larry Rehmer who not lives in Wyoming. We practiced in Larry's Garage. Notice the "John Lennon" hats. I first played with Larry only at a party of my parents. We played "Eight Days A Week" then tried to figure out if we knew second tune. This band played a lot of jobs and we made some money. It was fun.
  • My Mother Singing (374 KB)
    My mother's first love after her family. She continues to sing to this day.
  • Current Photo of Kevin McNulty, Sr (4 KB)
    This is my current photo (2002)
  • Two Generations in the 70’s Dude! (86 KB)
    Two Generations in the 70’s Dude! Back Row L-R Lee Kempen (great trumpet player), Steve Johnston, Fin Johnston (talented student of mine) ME (it’s the 70’s dude). Front Row – Bob Owens (great self taught piano player) DAD and Dave Stone (my best buddy). During this time my Dad and I used to go to jazz jam sessions and play. Dad still felt good in those days. He had tremendous time and it was an “instant grove” when he played bass next to me on drums. During this time my Dad and I used to go to jazz jam sessions and play. Dad still felt good in those days. He had tremendous time and it was an “instant grove” when he played bass next to me on drums.
  • Dad Playing with the Downbeats (188 KB)
    A high school dance band that was forced to join the musicians union, the Downbeats took too many jobs away from local musicians. My father played bass with them in high school and one year following. His great sense of time and jazz feel was passed on to many of us.
  • Dad, Aunt Betty and Aunt Babe laugh it up (126 KB)
    This was taken at a wedding event late in my fathers life. These are his two sisters, Betty and Babe. They had great laughs together all their lives.
  • "Swinin' Sweet Trio" (154 KB)
    Reggie Chamberland played Tenor, Muffie Petro Accordian and Dad "bass and drums" as the back of the photo indicated. All three lived in Momence and played every weekend. This is the first memory I have of Dad Playing. Dad just played bass and his left foot played high hats. Many years later in the 90's I played a trio job on Bass and played bass drum and hats at the same time. This gave me that idea. Dad borrowed a set of drums in 50's on Pine street to "try it out." He locked them in the tool room in the basement. I recall pulling back the losely locked door to peak through the crack at the set. I was 5. Nine years later he broke down and bought me a used set. Dad saved every dollar he earned playing from high school till 1959. He used the cash for a downpayment on the house he built on Hickory Lane.
  • Pine Street in Momence (173 KB)
    This was my folk's first house in Momence which they rented. My dad tried to buy the house at one point but the guy wouldn't sell. My clearest memory of this house is when my sister Patty stood in her playpen for the first time on the screened-in porch when lighting struck a big tree in the front yard during a summer storm
  • My immediate Family Christmas 1999 (111 KB)
    This photo taken by my brother Charles G. McNulty who appears on the far left. My mother is in the middle - Lorraine (Dupuis) McNulty. She has inhereted the short stature of Joseph Dupuis the jockey who purchased land in Bourbonnais in 1868. My mother grew up on that same land.
  • Hickory Lane in Momence (191 KB)
    The biggest project of my father's life. He built his own house in 1959. We moved here from Pine Street. In 1969, we added an addition and it was from this experience at age 19 that he taught me all of the carpetry skills that I have today. He was a nature carpenter and made much of the house without plans. My borthers and brother-in-laws and I reroofed the house in 1991. My mother lives there today.
  • Charles A. McNulty, IV (my father) (51 KB)
    This photo was taken in the late 60's or early 70's.
  • St. Pat's "The Boys Side" (102 KB)
    My school from 1st grade through 6th. I transfered to the "Public School" in the middle of 6th. Back to St. Pat's to begin 7th. That didn't work - back Momence Jr High in the middle of 7th. My folks were "dodging the weak nuns," who where letting my "get away with murder." They did the right thing and I got on the right track at Momence Junior High - in preparation for McNamara H.S.
  • Two of My Closest Buddies (108 KB)
    I've known these two guys since high schoool Dave Stone and Tyke (Alan) Hendershott. They are two superb musicians and we still play together regularly. My first job with Dave was in 1964,
  • Case's (65 KB)
    Case Motor Sales where my father spent over 30 years. He and owner Earl Case became great friends in the later years in particular as they could read each other's mind by then. Dad started with Earl in the early 50's and worked with him until Earl sold the "garage." As it was called then. The building is empty now. Dad worked the last few years of his life at his #1 competitor, Carl Reising Ford, who gave dad a job which maintained dad's health insurance until his death.
  • George Dupuis (My Grandfather) (48 KB)
    George Dupuis was a hard working farmer in Bourbonnais, IL. He worked the farm totally with horses. My mother grew up on the farm and is resonsible to related numerous stories about rual farm life in the 30's to me.
  • Our House Today (415 KB)
    My "dream house" in Matteson, IL. Just perfect for us with a big back yard that I enjoy. I remember the day we moved in and I entered where my mother and wife were busily organizing the kitchen. I'll always remember my mother turning to me all pleased and giving me a big hug like I finally had a permainent home after my many transitions in life. It was the happiest expression she ever directed at me in my adult life.
  • Delia (Bouchard) Dupuis (My Grandmother) (108 KB)
    All grandchildren feel their grandmothers are sants. My was. She married my grandfather George after the death of his first wife. She then had 9 children (one my mother). She named her first child after my grandfathers first wife Elzeer. That represents only one of the unselfish things my grandmother did in her lifetime.
  • The 50's (57 KB)
    Mom, Dad, Sarah and I when we were a (very) young family of 4. My folks were married at 19 and had me at 21. They were very young. Sarah and I have the deapest memories of these earl days and are only 14 months apart. Look for another photo of me walking Sarah down the aisle at her wedding - years later after Dad died.
  • The Dupuis Clan (357 KB)
    This is the family of George and Delia Dupuis (my grandparents). My mother (Lorraines Dupuis McNulty) is in the back row far left.
  • Band Trips! (66 KB)
    My kids grew up on the road. Jo had a full-time job and they all tagged along. One of our most memorable trips was when Maureen, fixing her hair on the charter bus in Iowa, accidently stepped on the "air brake" and the bus took off! She was the only one on the bus and instinctively JUMPED OFF! The bus went on to find the nearest obstruction in the parking lot. Maureen thought she was in trouble. Naturally, I was "all over" the bus drivers for leaving the bus unattended.
 
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