WILMINGTON — James Harold “Jim” Mahoney, 85, died Monday, May 15, 2017, at Lower Cape Fear Hospice.
Born Aug. 30, 1931, in Oceanside, N.Y., he was the son of the late John F. and Lembe Mahoney. He grew up in Merrick, Long Island, N.Y., with his four siblings, two surviving, brother, Harold “Bud” Mahoney of Deer Park, N.Y., and sister, Lembe Dobbins, of Long Island, N.Y.
He graduated from Lehigh University on a full wrestling scholarship, with a degree in civil engineering, followed by enlistment in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. After the Army, Jim married the love of his life Kae (nee Riggs) Mahoney Feb. 1, 1957.
Jim spent his entire working career at Hercules Inc., moving from project to project across North America. Always dedicated to his family, he was creative, from drawing, to woodworking, to taking care of an amazing yard, plus teaching his kids how to fix anything.
Jim was preceded in death by his brothers, Robert Mahoney and John Mahoney Jr.
He is survived by Kae Mahoney, the loving mother of his three children; Jim Mahoney Jr. of Jupiter, Fla., John Mahoney of West Palm Beach, Fla., and Kitty Lynn Mahoney of Wilmington, N.C. In addition to his three children, Jim is survived by his daughter-in-law, Sarah Mahoney of West Palm Beach, Fla.; five grandchildren; and sisters-in-law, Margaret Mahoney of Montgomeryville, Pa., and Marion Mahoney of Deer Park.
Jim fought a tough battle against cancer, inspired those around him with his quiet strength, never complaining and always making light of his dire situation. While words will never be able to adequately express our thanks, it is with hearts of gratitude that the Mahoney family extends our appreciation to the many nurses and physicians from Lower Cape Fear Hospice who provided such excellent care and compassion to Jim, most notably, nurse Mary Clarke, and counselor, Cindy Scott, who had both spent countless hours with Jim.
A funeral service will be held 11 a.m., Monday, May 22, at Andrews Mortuary Valley Chapel. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow in Oleander Memorial Gardens.
Condolences may be sent to andrewsmortuary.com.