HOLYOKE
John Thomas Mahoney, 77, of McLean, Virginia passed away on January 18, 2019 at home. John was born on April 12, 1941 in Holyoke, MA son of the late John M. and Gertrude (O’Connell) Mahoney. He graduated from Sacred Heart High School in Holyoke, St. Michael’s College in Vermont, received a Master’s in Education from the University of Massachusetts, and also earned a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies from American International College. John began his career in education as a teacher at the John J. Lynch Junior High School, then became the Director of State and Federal Programs for the Holyoke Public Schools. Through his efforts he secured $400 million in state and federal grants. While in Holyoke, John also established the HALO Center of Adult Education. He was involved in the Valley Community Arts Association planning many memorable trips for its members and the community. John retired from the school system in 2002 and relocated to McLean, Virginia. John is survived by his spouse Chee Seng Lai of McLean, VA and his siblings Gertrude Sassaman (Clay) of Riverside, CA, William Mahoney (Mary) of Newmarket, NH, and Catherine Devins of South Hadley, MA. He is also survived by his niece Sarah A. Mahoney of Brentwood, NH, his nephews, Michael Devins of Uxbridge, MA, Jonathan Devins (Jennifer) of Belchertown, MA and Alex Happ of San Francisco, CA, his aunt Joan MacDonald of Anaheim, CA and numerous cousins. Family and friends are asked to gather on Tuesday February 5, 2019 in St. Patrick Chapel of St. Jerome Church, 69 Hampden Street, Holyoke, at 10:00am for John’s Funeral Mass. Burial will be private. Calling hours will be held Monday February 4 from 4:00 to 7:00pm at the Barry J. Farrell Funeral Home, 2049 Northampton Street, Holyoke. In lieu of flowers, please send a donation in John’s memory to the Society of Saint Edmund’s, 1 Winooski Park, Box 272, Colchester, VT 05439
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