Worcester
Francis J. “Buck” Mahoney, 91, of 505 Mill Street, Worcester, formerly of 11 Oberlin Street, died on Friday, February 15, at St. Vincent’s Hospital after being stricken at home on Thursday, February 14. He was predeceased by his wife of 61 years, Helen P. (Brosnahan) Mahoney, who died on October 8, 2007. He leaves a daughter Mary P. Mahoney of Worcester, a daughter Helen “Ellie” A. Brunelle and her husband Jacques A. of Franklin, and a daughter Catherine M. Kabala and her husband Stanley J. of Dudley. He also leaves four grandchildren: John A. Brunelle of Boston, Mary Helen Brunelle of Worcester, James S. Kabala of Providence, and Daniel J. Kabala of Brighton. He also leaves a close family friend Michael N. Cariglia of Worcester. Mr. Mahoney was predeceased by a son David F., who died in infancy. Francis was predeceased by his three brothers, John, Frederick, and Edward.
Mr. Mahoney was born in Worcester, the son of Patrick D. and Mary Teresa (Sullivan) Mahoney. Several years after his mother died in 1926, his father married Catherine Sullivan, who was a wonderful second mother to him. He graduated from St. John’s High School, then in Worcester, in 1934. He was member of the football and basketball teams. He also attended the College of the Holy Cross and, up until the time of his death, was an ardent listener to the Holy Cross games on WTAG and a viewer of their games on Channel 3. Mr. Mahoney worked at Melville Shoe Company from 1936 until his retirement as a supervisor in 1976. During World War II he served in the U.S. Army and later the U.S. Air Force for a total of fifty-one months, twenty-one of them overseas in China, Burma, and India, earning the rank of staff sergeant. He received numerous awards and citations: the American Theater Campaign Ribbon, the Asiatic Pacific Theater Campaign Ribbon, a Good Conduct Medal, American Defense Service Medal, Victory Medal, and a Distinguished Unit Badge. While in the service, Mr. Mahoney attended Cooks and Bakers School at Fort Sheridan, Illinois and continued using his culinary skills throughout his life with wonderful meals prepared for his family, especially on Thanksgiving, Christmas, St. Patrick’s Day, and Easter. Also, during his years in the service, Mr. Mahoney was a regular contributor to the Vernon Hill Spiel, “a newsletter about the goings-on in the neighborhood and the whereabouts and doings of the hundreds of Vernon Hill residents serving in the armed forces.”
Mr. Mahoney was a long time member of St. Peter’s Parish where he served as an usher for many years. He was also a member of the Holy Name Society. He watched the Mass daily on television. He was a sports enthusiast and followed all the local teams. He proudly said that he lived through four Red Sox World Championships -1916, 1918, 2004, and 2007.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, Feb. 18, at 11:00 AM in St. Peter's Church, 929 Main Street. Burial will follow in St. John’s Cemetery. Calling hours will be from 2:00 to 4:00 PM on Sunday, February 17, and from 10:00 to 10:30 AM on Monday at Callahan and Fay Brothers Funeral Home, 61 Myrtle Street. Memorial donations may be made to St. Peter’s Church, 929 Main Street, Worcester, MA 01610.