Richard Gregory McMahon Jr.

Family-Placed Funeral Notice

RICHARD GREGORY McMAHON, Jr. Twenty-nine years ago today, turned out to be the best day of my life. I met Rick McMahon on a blind date, orchestrated by Rick's business partner, Ed Odette. We were married April 15, 1991. In our time together, we were the happiest people in the world. Now, it is with great sadness our family announces his passing. Rick passed away on September 8, 2006 in my arms. After a valiant three year battle with cancer, he passed away at Baptist Hospital in Miami, comforted by the presence of his beloved nephew, Robert Murphy, Jr.; dear friends, Maria and Marco de la Cal; and his chiropractor and, most of all, dear friend, Dr. Hobie Furshman, who has been instrumental in the quality of life Rick enjoyed these last years. Rick was born in Miami at Jackson Memorial Hospital on July 7, 1950 to adoring and devoted parents, Jackie (nee Stringer) and the late Dick McMahon, owner of McMahon's Cadillac. “Big Mac” passed away October 28, 1987 and was not only Rick's father, but one of his best golfing buddies. Rick attended Epiphany Grade School in Pinecrest, Palmetto Jr. High, Palmetto Senior High School, and was graduated from Biscayne College (St. Thomas University) in 1972. Rick and his business partners, Ed Odette and John Wierman, started ERJ Insurance Group, in a small duplex in Miami Springs. Thanks to his loyal friend and the best office manager in the world, Sue Wiggs, the small company that specialized in providing financial service products and training for the automobile and banking industries went on to be one of the most successful in the country. Rick was well known in the industry for his innovative and mentoring skills, his sense of humor and his integrity. ERJ was ultimately purchased by American Heritage Life of Jacksonville, which was later purchased by Allstate Insurance Company. Since his retirement in 2001, Rick has been busy living and loving life. His idea of a perfect day was golf half of the day and fishing the other half, not necessarily in that order. Rick started playing golf at the age of twelve, and won many local tournaments as an amateur. He was a member of the Palmetto Sr. High School and Biscayne College golf teams. Traveling together and with dear friends to the Keys or the Bahamas on the various sizes of our sportfishing vessels, Fastidious, was always a good idea to him. Rick was a member of Indian Creek Country Club, Bal Harbour Club, Biscayne Bay Yacht Club, and Ocean Reef Club where he was the Men's Golf Champion for the years 2001 and 2003. He served on the Board of Directors of Indian Creek Country Club, an honor of which he was most proud. He also served on various committees at Indian Creek and looked forward to giving of his time to his favorite, special place, where he loved to play golf and spend time with friends; a small task done with love and, in return, being able to call such an incredible place his home club. Our family would like to extend sincere thanks to all the wonderful people who were instrumental in the care and loving of Rick: Dr. Hobie Furshman and Dr. Maureen Davis-Furshman kept Rick going, and coming back for more; Robert Peng, of N.Y.C., helped us through this journey and helped make it something beautiful; Dr. Leonard Kalman and his incredible staff, Miri Sinclair, Lissette, and the whole gang at Advanced Medical Specialties; and the great group of nurses, doctors and staff at the PCU at Baptist Hospital. In addition to me, his completely devoted and adoring wife of 15 years, Paula, Rick is survived by his loving mother, Jackie McMahon of Ft. Pierce; sister, Brenda Murphy and brother-in-law, Bob Murphy, Sr. of Land O'Lakes; nephew Robert Murphy, Jr. of Hollywood, FL.; nephew Greg Murphy and wife Traci, great niece Delaney, great nephews Colin and Derek, of Tampa; niece Kelley Onderdonk and husband Gordon, great niece Morgan, of Land O'Lakes; sister Debbie Potts and husband Chris, nephews JR and Christopher, of Miramar. A Celebration of this incredible life journey will take place at Indian Creek Country Club on Monday, January 15, 2007 at 12:30 PM. If you would like to attend, kindly RSVP to CelebrateRick@aol.com or (305) 428-0815. To express condolences and/or make donations Visit PalmBeachPost.com/obituaries