Donald E. Mahoney

Donald E. Mahoney, 86, of Jaffrey, died peacefully on April 11, 2020, while his wife was holding him in her arms, at the PheasantWood Center in Peterborough after a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s Disease.

‘Don’ was born in Fitchburg, MA on November 8, 1933, son of the late Francis and Doris (Nutting) Mahoney. He graduated from Fitchburg High School and entered the United States army in 1952. Don was stationed in Uijongbu, Korea at the Inspector General Section Headquarters I Corp. He earned the rank of Corporal and was honorably discharged in 1954.

When Don moved to Rindge, he met his wife of 44 years, Shirley, and he worked for Dalton Wein, CPA, and Carl Little, CPA. Don also joined and served in the 210th Engineering Detachment of the New Hampshire National Guard from 1977 through 1994, retiring with the rank of Sergeant.

Don and Shirley became the managers of the former Cathedral House Bed and Breakfast, located on the grounds of the Cathedral of the Pines in Rindge from 1994 until 2004. During those years, Don also volunteered at the Cathedral’s administration office and gift shop and was named their volunteer of the year in 1997.

Don was a member of VFW Post #794 in Fitchburg, MA and the John Humiston American Legion Post #11 in Jaffrey, where he had been awarded a lifetime membership. Don belonged to the 40/8 and was a communicant of St Patrick Church in Jaffrey, where he was a 3rd degree member of Our Lady of Monadnock Knights of Columbus, Council #8544. Don was an instructor for more than 14 years with Goodwill Industries of New England at the Army Reserve Center in Keene. He was a charter member of the Rindge Veterans Association and had served in all the officer roles, as well as coordinating the ceremonial color guard at the Cathedral of the Pines and for local military funerals. He was a most dedicated veteran and was humble about the role he played in the communities of Rindge and Jaffrey, as well as the State of NH. Don was very proud to have been the Grand Marshall of the Rindge Memorial Day Parade twice.

In addition to his parents, Don was predeceased by his brother, Maurice ‘Doug’ Mahoney, and his sister, Diane Hannigan.

He is survived by his wife, Shirley (Sirois) Mahoney of Jaffrey; two daughters, Christine Bennett and her husband Henry of Philipston, MA, and Bethaney Laney and her husband, Troy of Gardner, MA; his grandchildren, Samuel, Hannah, Abby, John, James, Jonathan, Troy, and Caleb, and 2 great-grandsons. Don loved them all and was so proud of all their accomplishments. Don is also survived by his nieces and nephews, Mark Hannigan, William Hannigan, Patricia (Hannigan) White, Thomas Mahoney, Sharon Mahoney, and their families. Don and Shirley were the adopted grandparents of the Crosby Clan, consisting of seven grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and eight great-great-grandchildren. Don loved his entire family and will be missed by all.

According to Don’s wishes, there will be no calling hours. A celebration of his life will take place and will be announced later.

A Mass of Christian Burial will also be celebrated later at St. Patrick Church in Jaffrey and burial with Military Honors will be in Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Winchendon.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Don’s name to St. Patrick Church, 89 Main Street, Jaffrey, NH 03452, or to the Cathedral of The Pines, 10 Hale Hill Road, Rindge, NH 03461, or to a charity of your choice.

Don’s family wishes to thank and bless the staff at Pheasantwood Center, Compassus Hospice, and Granite State Companion for caring for him and supporting Shirley through his residency there.