Submitted by: Dan Rich

George F. Mahaney

Sept. 26, 1917 - Sept. 9, 2001

South Bend Tribune 9/11/2001

George F. Mahaney, 83, died at his home Sunday, September 09, 2001, of respiratory failure. He was born in Oswe-go, New York, in 1917. He entered the Navy in 1943 during World War II and served in the South Pacific as part of the Navy Air Corps. He earned several gold stars and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, one of the Navy's highest honors, for bravery under fire.

He married Eileen M. AuClair of Oswego, New York, in 1945, and moved to South Bend in 1948, using the G.I. Bill to attend a technical school for tool and die makers. He also began working as an apprentice at the South Bend Gauge. He was employed by the South Bend Gauge and Hart Manufacturing in Mishawaka for a total of 36 years. He was a member of St. Matthew's Parish since 1948 where he belonged to the Holy Name Society and the Usher's Club. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Assembler's Dance Club and the Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH). He served AOH in various offices, including President, Treasurer and Chairman of the Annual St. Patrick's Day Dinner/Dance. In 1998, he was named the "Hibernian of the Year." During his retirement years he served as a volunteer for the St. Vincent de Paul Society and read story books every week to kindergarten children at Holy Family Elementary School. He enjoyed golfing and gardening.

In addition to his wife Eileen, he is survived by three daughters: Janine Simmons of Mishawaka, Anne Rogers and Barbara Germano, both of Indianapolis; two sons-in-law William C. Simmons and John M. Germano; and four grandsons: William George and Thomas J. Simmons, and John N. and Joseph Mahaney Germano.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by St. Joseph's Funeral Home at 1827 E. Ireland Rd., South Bend. Family and friends may call from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. today in the ST. JOSEPH FUNERAL HOME, 1827 E. Ireland Rd., where a rosary will be said at 4:00 p.m. Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday at the Cathedral of St. Matthew. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Holy Family Building Fund, 56405 Mayflower Rd., South Bend, IN 46619; St. Vincent dePaul Society, 3408 Ardmore Trail, South Bend, IN 46628; or the Bishop Crowley Fund, Cathedral of St. Matthew, 1701 Miami St., South Bend, IN 46613.