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Andrew Mahoney Obituary
Dale - Andy Mahoney, died unexpectedly on August 25. Andy--a cherished husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend--was devoted not only to his own family, but also to his community. Before retiring, he had been a guidance counselor, teacher, and running coach at Xavier High School and owned a business to help prepare high school students for college. He saw the best in kids and dedicated himself to helping them succeed.
Andy and Beth, his wife of 37 years, loved traveling to national parks and cities throughout the U.S., as well as Canada, Europe, Peru, and Egypt. They enjoyed walking in the woods, canoeing and kayaking, and watching the animals visit the flowers and pond in their backyard. Most of all, they liked to make each other laugh every day. Andy was a devoted and loving, encouraging father. He was a doting grandfather who planned treasure hunts and wrote books for his grandkids.
Andy is survived by his wife Beth; his children Molly and Tom Sharp, Maggie Mahoney and Dan Sward, Lori and Shane Denil, Bob and Ahnna Mahoney, and Bryan and Kristy Piechocki; his grandchildren Sophie, Sylvie, Crispin, Ezra, Andi, and Bryanna; and his siblings Susan Mahoney, Karen and Pat O'Keeffe, Ann Nemeth, Patrick Mahoney and Maxime Desmarets, and Marianna and Lee Colten. He is preceded in death by his parents Robert and Mary Mahoney, of Niles, Michigan, as well as his brother-in-law Wendell Nemeth and nephew John Nemeth.
Services will be held on Saturday, August 31, 2019, at Xavier High School, 1600 W. Prospect Ave., Appleton. Visitation in the chapel, 11 am - 1 pm. Memorial service in the Fine Arts Theatre, 1 pm.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations either to the Southern Poverty Law Center (splcenter.org) or to support the work of the Congregation of Holy Cross in Peru (https://www.holycrossusa.org/support-our-work/ways-to-give/one-time-gift/).
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Andrew Mahoney
Sponsored by Wichmann Funeral Home - Downtown Appleton.
6 Entries
The Last Shall Be First
Nick Suess
August 31, 2019
Mr Mahoney lived by example...
He was someone I think I wish I was like back then., but so far from it as a teen.
He knew his stuff. He was confident, mature. Stern and gentle at the same time.
Someone you wanted to do your best for, impress and achieve.
He cared.
He had a family, I guess...even a daughter in my class....She, like him, was nice too... But he unselfishly got out of his home and into the community and school to make the lives of others better.
And he was guidance counselor at Xavier..his office was right there on my way to classes every day...but with teachers and him ... I was too shy then and intimidated to walk into his office.
(... and I figured he had more important things going on than me, and I had nothing to say of importance anyway...still don't.)
I never had him for a class or homeroom, but he organized and led the cross-country running coach teams at Xavier while I was there.
Despite growing up a Packer fan...a fan of their atheticism....I was not strong, I was not quick and I was not fast. I was not developed ( though I am 6ft 2in tall today, I remember the girls in my class briefly being my size or taller).
So, I signed up for his cross-country running teams three of my four years there... falls of 83, 84 & 85, I think.
In grade school, I did not play sports. I never had a coach. I never stretched, and didn't know any stretching exercises.
He taught me how to stretch, and that we did as a team.
After school, the team would get together on the floor and stretch. Seeing the other guys stretch, I could tell for the first time that I could not stretch well.
Running, I would tire easier than the rest. Breathing in and out so much caused the gums around the teeth in my mouth to ache...(in the front of my mouth). No one else seemed to feel that or relate. My sweaty t-shirt rubbing in my chest made it sore. I think we all probably had that.
Despite the after school effort, as a member of coach Mahoney's cross-country running teams, I never placed or ribboned. I was always last on the team in ability...and at the finish line. I got used to it. I was still welcomed by coach Mahoney and not treated any differently.
How non-coordinated am I ?
Andy wasnt the golf team coach, but even on the golf team, I only qualified after tryouts for one season, and because I was the lowest ranked alternate, 3rd alternate, I didn't get to travel with the team ever -- and my scores never counted. When I was allowed to play at all,it was only for home events.
But then one day, in cross-country ... the final race of my third season running, nearing the finish line, I finally sprinted and beat my teammate by a half a body's thickness. He was the only one who I could remotely keep up with year after year. (The stamp collector outside of school).
Finally coming in 2nd last, instead of last, at an awards ceremony at Xavier, Coach Mahoney felt it was important to give me an award, my only award of my life, which I still value and display(and show below)..
Sincerely,
Your "Most Improved Runner", 1984
Thanks again
Andrew Rosenow
August 30, 2019
Mr. Mahoney - Thank you for your constant reminders of the opportunities you always said were possible when I attended Xavier. As a 1996 graduate I've never forgotten how kind, thoughtful and understanding you were during my Xavier years. You taught me to always see things in a positive light, which I still do and have carried on to my own children. Thank you Andy. You will be missed.
Andrew Rosenow
Sr. Catherine Gilles
August 29, 2019
My sympathy and prayers go out to Andy's family and friends. He was a good person to work with at Xavier -- really cared for the kids!
John Gosling
August 29, 2019
Andy is a role model. He has helped me professionally and always greeted me with smiles and acceptance.
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Michelle Mathewson-Murphy
August 28, 2019
For me, Mr. Mahoney was one of the bright spots at XHS. I remember him as encouraging and kind, and I am glad he was my guidance counselor.
Blessings to all his family and friends.
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