Gerard “Gerry” Mulligan’s illustrious four-and-a-half-decade newspaper career started in Hernando County as the editor of the Brooksville Sun-Journal in 1976. Then David Authurs of the Citrus Chronicle convinced Gerry to accept the editor role there in November 1978. In 1978, the Citrus Chronicle was a twice-a-week paper as opposed to the daily it is today.
Gerry became a fixture at the Chronicle, working there for more than four decades. First as an editor and then as the publisher, starting in 1990. He retired as publisher after working at the Citrus Chronicle for 43 years in 2021.
Gerry had an affinity for newspapers throughout his life. As a boy, Gerry had a newspaper route for Newsday on Long Island. At St. Leo’s University, Gerry ran the student newspaper and wrote editorials that were critical of the student body president. This led to a suspension and a reinstatement, according to Gerry’s brother Kevin.
Gerry’s wife, Janet, retired 14 years ago from the Citrus County School District. They have four kids and 11 grandchildren.
Gerry understands the importance of the local newspaper being involved in the local community. Often, newspapers try to remain detached from the community so they can objectively cover what happens. This leads to the community feeling that the newspaper is judging them and not reporting on what happens.
Gerry was involved in many local organizations, including the YMCA, Citrus United Way, and Crystal River Main Street. He was chairman of the YMCA for 11 years. He pressed for a United Way chapter to start in Citrus.
At the 2023 Florida Media Conference, Gerry was presented with the Hall of Fame plaque and lauded by David Dunn-Rankin. The Dunn-Rankin family started the Hernando Today before selling it and starting a group of newspapers in the Venice, Fla. area.
Gerry has received many awards, including the 2021 Citrus County Citizen of the Year, but he did more than that. He was a pillar of the community that brought people together.
