Raymond Francis Mahar

08/10/2004

Raymond Francis Mahar, 83, of 91 Hathaway St. died yesterday at the Sweet Brook Care Centers in Williamstown, where he was admitted July 22. Born in North Adams on Nov. 11, 1920, son of Thomas F. and Edna Rougeau Mahar, he graduated from Drury High School in 1940. A decorated Army veteran of World War II, he served with the 1st Cavalry as a private first class in the Pacific theater, including the liberation of the Philippines. Mr. Mahar was employed for 42 years with the former Sprague Electric Co., retiring as a production manager in 1982. He also had worked part time in Neville's Do-Nut Shop's catering division. He was first employed by the former Renton's Bakery, then for several years by the former Balston Co. After his retirement, he worked part time for Flynn and Dagnoli Funeral Homes. He was a communicant of St. Patrick's Church in Williamstown. He was a former longtime communicant and active member of Notre Dame Church, where he was a greeter at Sunday Masses. He was a life member and past commander of Frank R. Stiles Post 125 American Legion, where he also was grave registration chairman and finance officer, and former chairman of the Memorial and Veterans days committee. For many years, Mr. Mahar was the chairman and organizer of the committee responsible for placing the memorial flags in the city's cemeteries. In the 1970, he started the baby-sitting training program at the Legion and North Adams Fire Department, and was appointed an honorary member of the Fire Department for his efforts. He also was chairman of the United Way campaign at Sprague and a longtime member of the company's Management Club. He enjoyed traveling. He and his wife, the former Mary Elizabeth "Betty" Circe, would have celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary Oct. 26. They were married in St. Francis' Church. Besides his wife, he leaves two daughters, Judith Ann McConnell of North Adams and Ann Lorraine Conroy of Adams; two sons, Raymond Francis Mahar Jr. of Huntingtown, Md., and Thomas Robert Mahar of Williamstown; a sister, Lorraine Ronan of North Adams; 16 grandchildren, and 22 great-grandchildren FUNERAL NOTICE -- The funeral to celebrate the life of Raymond Francis Mahar, who died Aug. 10, 2004, will be Saturday at 10 at FLYNN & DAGNOLI-MONTAGNA HOME FOR FUNERALS, West Chapels, 521 West Main St., North Adams, followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 11 in St. Patrick's Church, Williamstown. Burial with full military honors will follow in the family plot in Southview Cemetery, North Adams. Calling hours at the funeral home will be Friday from 4 to 7. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are suggested for the Raymond Francis Mahar Scholarship Fund through the funeral home. Survivors include 16 grandchildren: Patricia Conroy Shepley, Lynn DeSanty, T.J. Conroy, Timothy Conroy, Jennifer Conroy, Shannon Appell, Shelby McConnell, Jan Mahar, Jill Bailey, Michael Mahar, Raymond Richard Mahar, Tara Walor, Cheri Woloski, Christopher Mahar, Haley Mahar and Ryan Mahar, and 22 great-grandchildren.

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