James J. Mahon III

1936 - 2022

James J. Mahon III, 86, passed away Saturday, June 25, 2022, in Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, Plains Twp., as a result of tragically being struck by a motorist driving a vehicle which crossed the center line on Main Street in Plymouth.

He was born on June 7, 1936, to James II and Mary Mazur Mahon, Avondale Hill, Plymouth Twp. The son of a coal miner, he never forgot where he came from and was honored to represent Harter High School at a recent ceremony which identified the history of the Greater Nanticoke Area School District. He was a lifelong resident of Luzerne County and has resided in Plymouth for the last 21 years.

He was a graduate of Harter High School, West Nanticoke, and King's College. While at Harter, he was a member of the 1953 basketball team that advanced to the state semi-finals. After graduating from King's College, he began his teaching career in New Jersey, (North Bergen School District). In the 40 years since then, he held teaching positions in all of the following school districts: Falls-Overfield, Falls, Plymouth Area and retired from the Wyoming Valley West School District. As an educator, he strongly believed that coaching at the high school level was an extension of the classroom. His high school coaching career was long and successful.

Not content with being judged solely on championships, he helped his players to be the best people they could be. Jim's career began as the girls basketball coach at Falls-Overfield. Girls at that time played six and six. He then accepted a position as an assistant boys coach at Plymouth Area and later at Wyoming Valley West under head coach Joe Evan. After he was passed over for the head coaching job at Wyoming Valley West, Jim took his coaching talent across Wyoming Avenue and joined the staff of Evert Davis at Bishop O'Reilly. In 1977, he succeeded Evert as the head boys basketball coach. At O'Reilly, not only did he guide his teams to three Wyoming Valley Conference Championships and three district titles, but he also enjoyed coaching two of his sons, James IV and Mark.

During this same time, he started and coached the Bishop O'Reilly girls softball team, leading them to several Wyoming Valley Conference Championships and one district title. He later coached the Wyoming Valley West girls basketball team and ended his high school coaching career as an assistant girls coach at Lake-Lehman under Jim Spencer. During his time at Lake-Lehman, he had the opportunity to coach his granddaughter, Joscelyn. His softball coaching career concluded at the University of Scranton, servicing as an assistant coach on the staff of his granddaughter, Colleen.

Always believing in community and giving back, he was a driving force in the 1972 flood relief effort in Plymouth following Agnes. Jim started the Plymouth Twp. Little League in the early 60s and took great pleasure in coaching his younger brother, John. He later coached in the Plymouth Little League and established the first and only Lake-Lehman school district summer playground program, traveling from school to school in the bookmobile. For the past 20 years, he worked alongside his soulmate, Lillian, and her daughter, Donna, in their family business, Today's Treasurers, Plymouth.

Jim was a loyal friend and person, and no one needed to look further than to him to start up a conversation about college basketball and professional baseball. His love for everything Carolina Blue and his beloved Tarheels could only be matched for his never say die, this is our year, Philadelphia Phillies.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his older sister, Kathryn Orbon.

Surviving are his soulmate and love of his life, Lillian Michak; her daughter, Donna (Michael) and her son, George (Krista); his sons, James IV (Colleen), Paul (Donna) and Mark (Karen); and his daughter, Erin Baress (Rocco). Also surviving are his grandchildren, Colleen Moyer (Steve), James V., Joscelyn Summa (Scott), Kathryn Kasper (Sam), Carrie Mahon, Autumn Savitski, Tyler Savitski, Jacob Mahon, Stephanie Mahon and Kathleen Mahon. In addition, Jim had five great-grandchildren, Samuel, Maia and Isla Moyer, Chloe Summa and Sophia Kasper; a younger brother, John (Sally); and one very special devoted friend, his mini-schnauzer, Bess.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday from S.J. Grontkowski Funeral Home, 530 W. Main St., Plymouth, with the Rev. James McGahagan officiating. Interment will be in St. Mary's Nativity Cemetery, Plymouth Twp.

Family and friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday and from 10 a.m. until service time Friday at S.J. Grontkowski Funeral Home, Plymouth.

As per the family's request, masks are required during visitation and funeral services.

Contributions, if desired, may be made to PAWsitively for the Animals, 3264 Greenwood Ave., Scranton, PA 18505 in James' memory.

To submit condolences to Jim's family, please visit www.sjgrontkowskifuneralhome.com.