Senior Chief Petty Officer (ret. ) James J. McMahon Jr. set forth on his final cruise on November 27, 2018, at the age of 94, with his family at his side wishing him safe passage on his last deployment. Mac was born on January 21, 1924, in Northampton, MA.
He grew up in Easthampton, attending local schools. He worked at the Springfield Armory for a number of years. He had a 35 year career in the U.S. Navy, serving in WW II, Korea, and 3 tours in Vietnam as commander of 3 minesweepers.
Chief McMahon received many ribbons, medals, awards and citations during his enlistment; in our eyes, they are too numerous to list and too heavy to be worn all at one time. Upon retiring from the Navy, he worked at the VA hospital in Leeds until retiring from there, then began another career working at Manchester Hardware in Easthampton, where for 20+ years he was known as “Mac in the Back”, finally permanently retiring at the age of 93. He was a man of few words but many talents – wood carving, painting, carpentry, and leather work, to name a few.
At 89, he had an exhibit of some of his many pieces at the former Nash Gallery. He was a lifetime member of the Vietnam Veterans of America, Disabled Veterans of America and the American Legion Post 224, and in 2018 received the Veteran of the Year Award. He was on the board of directors of the Emily Williston Memorial Library, serving several terms as president.
“Mac” is survived by his children and their spouses – Patrick and Jean McMahon, Marcia Dushane, Colleen and Kevin McCartney, Diana and William Wigham, and James and Celina McMahon; 4 grandsons, 5 great grandchildren, his beloved cat Josie, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife of 68 years, Verna, his brother William, sister Helen Bogue, and great granddaughter Emily Dushane. He will be greatly missed by his many friends and former customers.
Thank you to the staff at Cooley Dickinson Hospital North 3 for their compassionate care of our father during his preparation for this last journey. A committal with military honors will be held at Brookside Cemetery on December 5, at 11:00. There will be a memorial service at Mitchell’s Funeral Home in Easthampton on December 8.
Family will be receiving condolences from 1:30 to 2:30, with the service immediately following. All are welcome to attend to celebrate Mac’s life; we would love for you to come and share your remembrances and stories of him. He was a very unique individual, and his exploits need to be shared.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mac’s name to the Easthampton Community Center.
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