John F. Mahoney

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Dolan Funeral Homes and Cremation Services - East Milton Square

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Milton, Massachusetts

John Mahoney Obituary

John F. "Jack" Mahoney, 74, of Marshfield, formerly of Milton, passed away peacefully with his wife and daughters at his side on June 16, 2011. Son of the late John M. and Margaret T. (Canavan) Mahoney. Beloved husband of Linda (Palmer) Mahoney. Devoted father to Maureen Clark of South Weymouth, Kerrie Gendreau and her late husband Paul of Marshfield, Janice Steinberg and her husband Kurt of Marshfield, Christine Fennelly and her husband Lawrence of South Boston and Kristin Haddigan and her husband Patrick of Marshfield. Jack is also survived by his sisters, Joan Deady and Geraldine Pistorio of Dedham, and predeceased by Barbara Mahoney of VA. He was the proud grandfather of nine adoring grandchildren and a favorite uncle to eight nieces and nephews. Jack had a long and distinguished career as a Milton Police officer, MDC Police officer and spokesman and a Massachusetts State Police trooper. He most recently retired from Citizens Bank. Jack graduated from Roslindale High School, served in the United States Coast Guard and went on to earn Bachelor of Arts and Master of Science degrees from Suffolk University and a Ph.D from Lasalle University. He was an avid boater and a long standing member of the Port Norfolk Yacht Club in Dorchester. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated in Saint Agatha Church, Milton, Tuesday, June 21 at 10:30 a.m. Relatives and friends invited. Visiting hours at Dolan Funeral Home, 460 Granite Ave., Milton, Monday 4-8 p.m. Interment Blue Hills Cemetery, Braintree. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jack's memory to the Fisher House Boston, Champions for Military Families, PO Box 230, South. Walpole, MA 02071. For directions and information, please visit www.dolanfuneral.com.

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Published by The Patriot Ledger on Jun. 18, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for John Mahoney

5 Entries

Christine Fennelly

July 5, 2011

My Eulogy to our Dad:

Dad spent the last few days of his life surrounded by his wife, his daughters and his sisters. We told stories, played his favorite Harry Chapin song, cried, laughed, argued and cried some more. We five daughters had very special and different relationships with Jack, and I think we all learned a little more about each other and the man we called “Dad.” Regardless of biology and bloodlines, Jack was blessed, or I am sure he thought sometimes cursed, to have five very distinct, very strong women he called “daughter.” I want to thank all my sisters, with deep love and respect, for the privilege to eulogize our Dad today.
I choose, as I hope you will, not to remember the last few years of Dad’s life, but rather the vibrant, fulfilled, exuberant years before he fell ill. Dad retired from the State Police after a long and distinguished career as a Milton Police Officer and a MDC Motorcycle officer, where he served with the Special Security Patrol Sqaud named “TOPS”, and even got to escort the pope when he toured Boston in 1979. I will remember Dad as the loving and devoted husband he was to Linda – the proud and boastful grandfather – the dedicated public servant, – the avid learner, and the generous father.
We will remember the happiest of times when he and Linda were at the Yacht Club, entertaining on their boat, aptly named “Stolen Moments.” The laughing, dancing good times – Dad could make anyone feel like they were the only person in the world – he captivated you with his gregarious personality and infectious warmth.
Dad and Linda shared a love of history and travel, and visited all of Europe, in particular places significant to WWII, as Dad was an unabashed history buff. They traveled across the country on his beloved Honda Goldwing Motorcycle. He never missed a birthday or graduation when it came to his kids. Dad flew to Texas when Maureen completed her college degree after 15 years in the Army; he was in the delivery room when Kerrie gave birth to both her children, Nick and Kaleigh. He gave Janice away when she married Kurt. He donned Kristin with her lifelong moniker of “dige” when she turned double digits on her 10th birthday. And he and Linda took me to Paris when I was studying abroad in college. His family was paramount to him and he protected us fiercely.
He reveled in his status as the “only brother” to his sisters Joan, Gerry and Barbara. He fashioned himself as the family patriarch to his sisters when more often than not, they were doting on him, and secretly he loved it. Dad adored his sons in law, Pat, Kurt, Larry, and especially Paul, who we lost far too soon. Surrounded by so many women, he was undoubtedly grateful for some male bonding. It took him quite a while however, to trust the men his daughters would marry, always suspicious that no man was quite worthy of his girls.
Dad loved a good time and was the life of the party. It was not unusual to catch him belting out the words to a favorite Harry Chapin or Jim Croce song, dramatically acting out the intricacies of the lyrics. He loved words, books, history and all things scholarly. I think perhaps in his next life he’ll be a professor.
I’d like to end with a very special, very personal story about Dad. About 7 years ago, when my nephew Charlie graduate high school, we threw a big party for him, and my brother in law, Stephen, dj’d the evening. You see, my husband grew up just down the street from where Dad and Linda raised Kerrie, Kristin and Janice, so they all knew my husband Larry and his family years before I ever did. Anyway, at the party, Dad was there, and Stephen came over to say hello. And he recognized Dad, and he said, Wow, I remember your Dad so well - He said when I was little, I used to go outside every night around 4 pm and wait for him to come riding down Warren Avenue on his police motorcycle, and every night he would drive by me, and flash his lights and run his siren, and wave to me, and I thought he was the coolest guy in the world.
So, to the coolest guy in the world. We love you – you will be terribly, desperately missed. Rest in Peace, Dad.

Kevin Glynn

June 21, 2011

Maureen and Christine please accept my deepest sympathy on the loss of your father.

Kevin Glynn

June 21, 2011

Linda this must be a very difficult time for you. No one knows more than me how devoted you and Jack were to each other. My deepest Sympathy for your loss. No one could ask for a more devoted friend than Jack.

Mary Fraser

June 20, 2011

Linda & Family, I am so sorry for your loss. Jack has been a true friend for 40+ years. He was there for me at two of the most stressful times of my life. RIP Jack.

Alan R. Keith (MSP-Ret.)

June 19, 2011

My Condolences to The Mahoney Family; I first met Jack when I was a resident of Milton & he became a Milton Police Officer, in the early '60's. I would later work with Jack as a Metropolitan Police Officer, in the '70's-'90's, retiring, as did Jack, from the Massachusetts State Police. May you find solace in the fact that Jack is at peace & at rest, which he deserves, for a job well done, sitting with the Father.

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