Michael John Mahoney

1933 - 2013

Michael John Mahoney
August 4, 1933 - January 4, 2013
Resident of Cupertino
Devoted husband, father grandfather, Mike passed away at home on January 4th, 2013.
Born in MA to Michael J. Mahoney and Ellen Bennett Mahoney, Mike grew up in Uxbridge MA on his family's farm. Mike graduated from Northbridge HS in 1951, and served in the US Army 1953-1955. He married Gertrude Picard in 1954 and went to work for General Electric as an Engineering Tech. He graduated from the University of Massachusetts in 1964 with a BSEE. Transferring to Daytona Beach FL with GE, he worked on the Apollo Space Program. While in Florida he was an active member of Toastmasters International and St. Brendan's Catholic Church where he was an Extraordinary Minister and Lecturer. With his wife and their three daughters, Mike transferred to the Bay Area in 1976. He graduated from the University of Phoenix with an MBA in 1983, in 1989 he went to work for Varian Associates on defense projects where he worked until he retired in 1999.
After Mike retired he began his volunteering career. Mike was an active member of his parish, St. Joseph's of Cupertino, and a long time member of the Cupertino Senior Center, where he worked every Friday at the Center's front reception desk. He served on the Cupertino Senior Center's Volunteer Advisory Council and was the City Council appointed liaison to the Council on Aging of Silicon Valley. Mike also volunteered at the Northwest YMCA where he was part of the Y's Service Club and Board of Managers and was recognized as their Volunteer of the Year in 2005. Every Wednesday you could find Mike at Hidden Villa Farms, working with pre-school and first grade children as a docent. His interest in growing roses orchids was furthered by joining the Santa Clara Rose Society the Malihini Orchid Society where he and Gert would volunteer at flower shows.
Mike and Gert also spent their retirement years traveling the United States and the World. He enjoyed studying history, geography Shakespeare as well as volunteering and spending time with his family. We will miss his incredible wit, vast knowledge, generosity, patience, calm demeanor, and, especially, the twinkle in his eyes.
Mike is preceded in death by his twin sons, Michael Stephen, his parents. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Gertrude S. Mahoney and daughters Debbie (Don) Peterson, Laurie Niles, Lisa (Brian) Pauken and grandchildren Kali, Anya Ruby Peterson, and Beau, Bryce, Brooke Brady Pauken. He is also survived by his brother Robert Mahoney sister Ruth Bickford of MA.
A private family service has been held. To honor his generous volunteering nature, donations in Mike's memory to Hidden Villa of Los Altos, the Northwest YMCA of Cupertino, or the Cupertino Senior Center would be appreciated.