James F. McMahon

James F. McMahon
Beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend
James F. McMahon, 91, of Lowell, a member of a well-known Greater Lowell family and retired Deputy Superintendent of the Lowell Public Schools passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by loving family on Tuesday February 11, 2025.
He was the loving husband for over 63 years of Mary Ann (Connolly) McMahon, who survives him.
Born in Lowell, Massachusetts, May 17, 1933, the son of the late Leo and the late Isabelle (Leonard) McMahon, he attended Lowell schools and was a graduate of Lowell High School Class of 1952.
After high school, Jim entered the U.S. Army where he proudly served his country as a Corporal during the Korean War.
Following the war, he received his Bachelor of Arts in Education Class of 1958 from Lowell State Teachers College and later his masters in education from Salem State College.
Jim began his long and distinguished career in education as a schoolteacher at Bartlett Middle school. He then became the Principal of the Shaughnessy Elementary School and later was named the Deputy Superintendent of the Lowell Public School system until his retirement in 2000.
In addition, he taught at Phillips Academy in Andover, served as an Adjunct Professor at U/Mass Lowell and was a probation officer for Middlesex Superior Court.
Active in his community, Jim was a former member of the Lowell School Committee, the East End Club Scholarship Committee and the Lowell Lodge of Elks.
Among his several interests, Jim, a former longtime member of Mt Pleasant Golf Club, enjoyed golfing and playing 45s with his friends, and traveling with his wife Mary Ann.
All about family, his greatest joy was spending time with his children and his grandchildren. He especially enjoyed attending all their sporting events and witnessing their accomplishments.
Besides his wife Mary Ann, Jim is survived by his four children; Cathleen Sturtevant and her husband Robert of Tyngsboro, MA, Colleen Cox and her husband John of Tyngsboro, MA, Erin Hart and her husband Alan of Chelmsford, MA and Jay McMahon of Chelmsford, MA; six grandchildren Courtney Cox Dettore and her husband Santo, Conor Hart, Brooke Sturtevant, Ryan Hart, Griffin Hart and Madelyn McMahon; two sisters Ann Craven of Lowell, MA and Maura McMahon of Port Charlotte, FL; and many nieces and nephews.
He was also the brother of the late Leo, Martin, Bernard, Richard and Francis McMahon.
Friends may call on Monday February 17, 2025, at the ODONNELL FUNERAL HOME 276 PAWTUCKET ST. in LOWELL from 2 to 6 P.M. Relatives and friends are invited to attend his Funeral Mass to be celebrated Tuesday morning February 18, 2025, at the IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHURCH in LOWELL at 11 oclock. (Please meet at church). Burial to follow at St. Patrick Cemetery in Lowell. E-condolences/directions at www.odonnellfuneralhome.com. Those wishing may make contributions in his memory to The Mt Pleasant Scholarship Fund at 141 Staples St, Lowell, MA 01851. Arrangements by Funeral Director James F. ODonnell, Jr., (978) 458-8768.
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