John "Jack" Mahoney, Jr.

John "Jack" Patrick Mahoney, Jr. of Whitman formerly of Weston, passed away peacefully at age 79 on Monday, June 21, 2021. Devoted father of Christine T. Mahoney of Chestnut Hill, MA and Sean D. Mahoney (Jennifer), of Portsmouth, RI. Grandfather of Kitt and Mia (Chestnut Hill).

Jack was born May 14, 1942 in Boston, MA to John P. Mahoney & Marie L. (Welch) Mahoney. He spent his first seven years growing up in Beachmont, Revere, MA. At the age of nine, his family moved to Weston, MA and Jack attended the Weston Schools from 3rd grade through high school graduating from Weston High School (1960).

A lifelong caddie, he paid for UMass Amherst with his earnings and graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in History and English. He graduated from Suffolk Law School (1971) while working at the Boston Herald Traveler (1965-72) as a sports reporter, including five weekly columns and features, becoming news editor in 1971. Additionally, he wrote for several other publications, media guides and The Associated Press.

Jack served as a Sergeant in the Air National Guard of Massachusetts from 1966–70.

He wrote, edited and published five books including, The Golf History of New England, and The Right Touch with famed blind golfer, Joe Lazaro and Bob Hope. His books ranged in subject from golf (El Paso (Texas) Country Club and Weston (Mass.) Golf Club to the Marine Corps. Jack was the managing editor of New England Golf Magazine , a top-rated regional golf publication in America. In Heaven, Jack will watch the 2022 return of the US Open to Brookline, where he wrote the program guide book for the 1988 US Open.

A finalist for the LPGA Commissioner in 1976, Jack was involved with several fund-raising events, ranging from golf tournaments (his favorite was the annual Lazaro Celebrity "Hope For The Blind" Golf Tournament) to the annual National Cerebral Palsy Telethon. Jack later worked as the golf director for The International Golf  Club (the world's longest golf course) in Bolton, MA (1979 - 1981). He conducted several championship and charitable events, including The Memorial Tournament, which he founded.

He was employed as a legal writing consultant and hearing examiner for the Massachusetts DPW in Boston (1982 - 1983). Returning to his golf roots, he joined the Digital Equipment Corporation in Maynard (1983) representing Digital in its title sponsorship of the Senior PGA Classic at Marlborough.

In 1985, he accepted a role at Cone & Company as the editorial director and chief writer for New England's largest public relations and marketing company. From 1986 - 1996, Jack worked as the sports marketing director for John Hancock Financial Services in Boston. He supervised the press operations for the Boston Marathon (2nd largest global single day media sports event in world), NYC, LA Marathon, and Falmouth Road Race.

Jack was the John Hancock Sun Bowl coordinator, concentrating on helping recruit football teams and dealing with national media. He was the director of the John Hancock Collegiate All-America Golf Classic, which ranked as the No. 1 college invitational. Jack always had a deep fondness for the people of West Texas and his amazing experiences, despite never being officially deputized. El Paso was his favorite city to visit and he considered El Paso his "adopted" hometown.

He organized publicity for Boston Special Olympics . Author of HEART, award-winning Hancock Endowment for Athletics and Remedial Teaching in the Boston Middle School System. National spokesman for campaign to halt proposed IRS tax on non-profit groups.

One of his favorite memories was travelling with his children through Ireland and playing golf at Old Head Golf Links and the Portmarnock Golf Club on that trip.

Jack had two dogs as an adult, Rusty (Golden Retriever) and Lady (Rhodesian Ridgeback) were his constant and devoted companions over the years. He adored his granddaughters and loved watching them grow up. Jack had a photographic memory and was always researching his next book.

He was a generous person and always wanted to help people and animals in any way possible.

Jack will always be loved and is survived by his children, Christine Mahoney (Chestnut Hill, MA) and Sean Mahoney and daughter-in-law, Jennifer (Portsmouth, RI) and granddaughters, Kitt & Mia. A special thanks to the Casey Family.

Funeral from the MacKinnon Funeral Home, 760 Washington Street, WHITMAN. Funeral Mass at Holy Ghost Parish, Whitman Wed, June 30 at 9 am. Relatives & friends kindly invited.

Interment St. James Cemetery, Whitman.

In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in Jack's memory to the MSPCA - Angell, Boston.