James B. Mahan
July 24, 1924—July 1, 2023
Cornwall, NY 12518
James Bernard (Mickey) Mahan of Cornwall, NY entered into eternal rest on July 1, 2023 at Montefiore St. Luke’s Hospital, Newburgh, NY.
He was born to James Benedict Mahan, first Sergeant of the band detachment, and Lucille A. Brechbiel Mahan at West Point Hospital July 24, 1924. He was married to Alma Mary Gallagher Mahan, the love of his life for 70 years.
Mickey was a parishioner at Holy Trinity Church, West Point, Sacred Heart Church, Highland Falls and St. Thomas of Canterbury Church in Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY.
Mickey was a retired Physical Education Teacher and coached football, track and varsity basketball at the Cornwall Central School District in Cornwall, N.Y. He also coached varsity basketball at St. Patrick’s in Newburgh and at Epiphany in New Windsor, NY. Mickey participated in helping to start up Pop Warner Football in Cornwall. He also umpired Cornwall Little League Baseball games. He was a supervisor at Anthony Wayne Recreational Area for 30 years. Mickey loved coaching, sports and his time at Anthony Wayne.
In his youth, Mickey played several sports and was a member of The Boy Rangers, The Boy Scouts and was an altar boy for several years at Holy Trinity Church, West Point. At Highland Falls High School, Mickey was a fine student and excellent athlete. He competed in baseball, track & basketball.
As World War II was still raging in 1943, Mickey was conscripted into the United States Army Air Force in hi October of that year. He was trained as a tail gunner on B24’s. He served until March of 1946.
Post war he attended Champlain, Lafayette and Springfield Colleges. Mickey won the first faculty-student handball tournament in his senior year at Springfield. Three months later he graduated with a degree in Physical Education and a minor in History.
After graduating, he was hired at West Point, working for the forestry and water departments, the Cadet Store and the Thayer Hotel. Mickey worked for Nick Congeclar and other masons to help build the Highland Falls Library. Following, he was hired as a supervisor of summer recreation at Roe Park in Highland Falls, Supervisor at Children’s Village in Dobbs Ferry and Recreation Director in Peekskill, NY.
He was predeceased by his wife Alma; his sister: Patsy Mahan; by his parents: James and Lucille Mahan; his sons: James and Mark Mahan; his brother-in-law: John Bosch; and his sister-in-law: Kay Rose.
James leaves behind his son: Brian Mahan; his daughter: Monica Sullivan; his brother: Patrick Mahan; his sister: Jeanne Mammalis; daughters-in-law: Sue Mahan and Jennifer Mahan; his brothers-in-law: Joseph Gallagher and Pete Rose; his sisters-in-law: Helen Bosch and Mary Gallagher; several nieces and nephews; 6 grandchildren; and 2 great grandchildren.
We are grateful to all the wonderful, dedicated people who provided Mickey with the medical care and attention he needed to keep up his mind, body and spirit for his four years at the Montgomery Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Center.
Visitation will be held from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday July 11th at Quigley-Sullivan Funeral Home, Inc., 337 Hudson Street Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY. A Mass of Christian Burial was held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 12th at St. Thomas of Canterbury Church, 340 Hudson Street, Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY. Interment followed the Mass at St. Thomas Cemetery, Cornwall, NY.
Arrangements are entrusted to Quigley-Sullivan Funeral Home, Inc.; to send condolences or to get directions to the funeral home, please go to www.Quigleybros.com.