John Joseph McMahon

John Joseph McMahon died peacefully in Scottsdale, Arizona, December 17, 2016 at the age of 95. He was born January 29, 1921 in Pawcatuck section of the town of Stonington, Connecticut and is son of Francis J. and Margaret M. (Devine) McMahon. He attended St. Michaels Parochial School and graduated from Stonington High School in 1938. John attended the University of Notre Dame, however, left his studies to serve in WWII. John joined the U.S. Army and served in North Africa and Italy as 31 142 747 Corporal, 353d Bombardment, 301st Bombardment Group. When the war ended, he continued his education and graduated from Notre Dame in 1946 with a BA in Business and joined General Electric, Company. John had worked in many GE locations; Bridgeport, CT, Erie, PA, Louisville, KY, and Plainville, CT. He retired January 1, 1984 as Manager of Data Processing for the Contractor Equipment Business Division after a 37 ½ year career. He was a member of the GE Elfun Society, GE Retirees Association, Notre Dame Club of Hartford County, and the Notre Dame Sorin Society. John had many interests and hobbies; playing golf, skiing, baseball, gardening, crossword puzzles and reading are just a few. He thoroughly enjoyed his Rockledge golf rounds with many of his GE Retirees and with his son in law, Alan, on family beach trips. John and his children skied extensively in Vermont, Utah, Colorado, Canada, Switzerland, Austria and France. The only reason he stopped skiing was because “Julie took my skis!” He would tell everyone that. In 2004, one of his dreams finally came true in seeing the Boston Red Sox break the “Curse of the Bambino” and winning the 2004 World Series. The joke in the family was that John's father, who was also an avid fan, did not know which was more important, the Red Sox or God. It is still a coin toss. John is survived by daughter Julie McMahon Gildersleeve, her husband, Alan W. Gildersleeve and their children Molly and Ben of Scottsdale, Arizona, son Peter Andrew McMahon and his children Rebecca and Allen of West Hartford, Connecticut. John was predeceased by sisters, Margaret and Mary. No calling hours. A Mass will be held 10:00am, Tuesday, January 3, 2017 at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Newington, Connecticut followed by burial at Fairview Cemetery in West Hartford. If attending services, wear Red Sox or Notre Dame apparel. In lieu of flowers, please, make donations in John Joseph McMahon's name to St. Michael's Cornerstone Building Project, www.stmichaelpawcatuck.com. Online expressions of sympathy may be made at www.molloyfuneralhome.com