Lawrence Joseph Mahoney

SOMERSWORTH - It is with deep sadness that the Mahoney family announces the sudden passing of Lawrence "Larry" Joseph Mahoney on Thursday, February 15, 2018, at Wentworth Douglas Hospital. He was just shy of his 88th birthday.

A decorated veteran, Larry dedicated over 28 years of his life to the US Air Force, where he was deployed many times to bases all over the world, and earned multiple commendations including the Bronze Star for service in the Vietnam War. Born on February 26, 1930 in Needham, Mass.,, Larry was a standout athlete at Needham High School in football, hockey and baseball, and earned scholarships to attend Tilton Academy (Tilton, N.H.) and St. Michael's College (Winooski, Vt.), before leaving college to enlist in the U.S. Air Force.

Larry would continue to share his knowledge, skill, and love of sports through instruction and coaching throughout his life. During the early 1970's, while stationed with his family at Dow Air Force Base in Bangor, Maine, Larry was one of the leaders who helped establish the youth hockey program in that city.

After retiring from the U.S. Air Force, Larry spent over 10 years working for the US Postal Service in Somersworth, N.H. Larry was also a long-term member of both the VFW and American Legion. He was especially active in his local American Legion post (Martel-Roberge, Post 47, Rollinsford, N.H.), where he was, for a time, the director of entertainment – allowing him to indulge his long-held love of music and dancing. He was responsible for attracting many high-profile bands to Rollinsford's American Legion Hall, including the Platters.

A beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle, mentor, coach and friend, to a large combined family that includes his wife of 24 years, Rachel (Boucher) Mahoney of Somersworth, N.H.; four daughters, Tracy Dunton and Kelly Willis, both of South Berwick, Maine, Laurie Thomas of Rollinsford, N.H., and Jessica Griffin of Eliot, Maine; ten grandchildren and one great-grandchild; and his former wife, Nancy (Rhynd) Mahoney of Rollinsford, N.H., and six children, Lawrence, Jr. of Bangor, Maine, Michael, Beth and Kathleen, all of Rollinsford, N.H., Victor of NY, N.Y., and Timothy of Norwalk, Ct. Larry was also close to his cousins, Cecilia (Donati) Digney of Needham Heights, Mass., and Louise (Fitzpatrick) Pattison of Meredith, N.H.

SERVICES: A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, March 10, from 12-5 p.m., at Martel-Roberge Post 47 American Legion Hall in Rollinsford, N.H.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Cornerstone VNA, 178 Farmington Rd., Rochester, NH 03867, or to a Veterans' charity of one's choice. Tasker Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Please go to www.taskerfh.com to sign the online guestbook.