James Mahaney

JAMES LEONARD MAHANEY, Sr., age 93, died on June 3, 2016 from heart failure at Whetstone Gardens Assisted Living Center in Columbus, Ohio. He was born on July 9, 1922 in Clifton Forge, VA.  This railroad town was helped settled by his great-grandfather, Henry Mahaney in the 1800’s. Jim was the fifth child of nine born to Alice (Barnes) and Grover Cleveland Mahaney. Jim was one of the last of the family to work for the railroad. He operated steam engines in the yard. One of the steam engines he operated is now in the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, MI. Jim was a proud veteran of WWII. Jim joined the army and on September 16, 1940 his unit was activated: the Coast Artillery of the Army at Fortress Monroe, VA.  Early 1942 as a private in the army, he helped to sink a German U-Boat in the Chesapeake Bay. During the winter of 1944 he was sent to Texas for Infantry School and was shipped to Europe, and saw action under General Patton of the Third Army. Soon after the peace was declared in Europe, he was sent to the Philippines to fight the Japanese. At the end of the war he was stationed in Yokahama and was discharged in January of 1946.After the war he worked on the railroad at Clifton Forge, and then was hired to work for the Toledo Edison Power Plant in 1951 in Toledo, Ohio. He worked as a statutory engineer, keeping the power plant running and in good working order. He retired in 1984 at age 62.Jim married Hazel Boone on February 2, 1949. They had two sons together: James L.  Jr. and Steven L. Mahaney. Jim was pre-deceased by his dear wife of 58 years, Hazel, in 2007; all of his eight siblings: Roy, Beulah, Mildred, Helen, Alice, Ernestine, Betty and Butch; and his dear son, Jim Jr., in 2016. He is survived by his son Steven (Cynthia) Mahaney, step-son Donald (Becky) Boone, daughter-in-law Ann Mahaney, grandsons Patrick J. (Marcus Cowen) and James W. Mahaney; granddaughter Karey (Eric) Borden, and great-grandchildren Alexandria, Hunter and Carter Borden. He is also survived by brother-in-law Ron (Marcia) Boone; sister-in-laws Margot Boone, Joyce Poland, and Gerry Mahaney; and many nieces and nephews. The family wants to especially thank the wonderful staff at Whetstone Gardens and VITAS Hospice care, and his nephew Claude Wright and niece Cheryl Schneider for their many visits and thoughtfulness during his declining health. Jim will be fondly remembered for his love of history, his remarkable memory, and his love of conversation. The family will receive visitors at SHAW-DAVIS FUNERAL HOMES 4341 N. High St Cols. 43214 on Wednesday June 8 from 6-8 pm. A funeral service will be held at Broad Street United Methodist Church at 501 East Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio on Thursday June 9 at 10:30 am, with visitation from 9:30-10:30 am. The service will be officiated by Rev. Pete Elliott and Rev. John Ball. A light luncheon will follow the service. James will be interned at the Restlawn Memorial Gardens mausoleum, 3665 Genoa Road in Perrysburg, OH. A service of interment will be held there at 3:30 pm, followed by a short visitation. In lieu of flowers, gifts can be given to VITAS Hospice Care. Online condolences can be made www.shaw-davis.com