John F. McMullen, of Jefferson Valley, New York, passed away peacefully on April 17, 2026, at the age of 86.
Born on October 27, 1939, John lived a full and accomplished life marked by intellectual curiosity, originality, and deep devotion to his family. John was born and raised in the Inwood section of Manhattan Island, New York City. His life was infused by the life and culture of this mostly Irish Catholic neighborhood and the basketball courts of Inwood Park.
Known as “johnmac the bard,” he was a poet, author, journalist, technologist, college professor, consultant, and denizen of cyberspace. If you asked John to describe his life in a nutshell, he would say, “I was lucky.”
John earned a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from Iona College, followed by a Master of Science in Computer Science and a Master of Public Administration from Marist College. He began his professional career as a computer programmer with the Department of the Army before advancing into executive roles in technology with firms including Dean Witter & Co., Davidson Computer Services, BTSI, and Morgan Stanley.
An entrepreneur at heart, John co-founded the technology consulting firm McMullen & McMullen, Inc. with his beloved wife, Barbara E. McMullen. Together, they built a respected practice serving clients such as Apple, IBM, Chase, Merrill Lynch, the Government of Mexico, and numerous other organizations and individuals. In later years, John continued his work as a consultant and professional speaker, sharing his knowledge through webinars and discussions on emerging technologies.
Beyond his professional achievements, John was a passionate educator and expressive spirit. He taught at New York University, The New School for Social Research, Monroe College, SUNY Purchase, and SUNY Westchester. A published author, columnist, and poet, he wrote extensively throughout his life. His works include Microcomputers—A Window on the World, co-authored with Barbara McMullen, and The Inwood Book, a reflection on the Manhattan neighborhood of his youth. He published over twenty collections of poetry, including Autobiographical Poems in 2023. He also hosted a weekly radio show with over 200 episodes.
John was honored as Poet Laureate of Yorktown, New York in 2018, a role he proudly held, with his writing appearing in journals and publications across the United States and Europe. He also contributed to the influential 1984 book Digital Deli alongside notable figures in technology and culture. John was an active member of the long-standing Mahopac Writer’s Group.
The title poem of his first poetry collection, Cashing a Check, won third place in the 2009 Writer’s Place National Poetry Contest. Cashing a Check was followed by his second collection, Writing In My Head, and the chapbook With A Chip On My Shoulder. He later published a large collection of poetry, New and Selected Poems, and The Inwood Book, an omnibus containing poems, short stories and the novella Offering It Up, all set in the Inwood section of Manhattan Island, New York City. He was predeceased by his father John Washington McMullen, mother Clara Crilley McMullen and brother Robert McMullen and his wife Beatrice.
He is survived by his loving wife of over 47 years, Barbara E. McMullen; his son, Luke John McMullen and his partner, Tracy Kinnel; and daughter, Claire McMullen Cleary and her husband, Matthew Cleary.
John’s life was enriched by a deep and enduring partnership with Barbara. Together, they built not only a successful professional life but also a marriage grounded in love, respect, and shared purpose. Their bond was evident in all they created and accomplished side by side, and it remains a lasting testament to a life lived in true partnership. John will be remembered for his brilliance, his insight, and the warmth he extended to those around him.
His legacy lives on through his work, his words, and most importantly, the family he cherished.
A wake will be held on Thursday, April 23, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Yorktown Funeral Home. A mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Friday, April 24 at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Shrub Oak.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial donation can be made to the ASPCA or to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
