On April 24, 2020, the Reverend Colonel John J. Mahon completed his journey, returned to eternal life and is safely at home in heaven. While most men’s lives can be measured in chapters, the life of “Uncle Jack” must be measured in volumes. Born in The Bronx on December 1, 1931, he answered his first calling early in life when he was ordained to the Priesthood as a Maryknoll father on June 14, 1958. He was assigned to the Maryknoll Mission in Peru, South America in the mountainous region of La Parroquia San Miguel (12,200 ft above sea level), where he served a community of approximately 80,000 Catholics, mostly Aymara Indians. He worked tirelessly in this capacity for six years, and ultimately became Pastor. From La Parroquia, Jack was assigned to the Parish of San Pedro, which had been without a priest for over 100 years. He spent the next 3.5 years building a Parish and religious community. His time in South America was marked not only by a deepening of his faith, but also by the creation of countless friendships, with both other priests and parishioners, which he maintained throughout the remainder of his life. He is reunited with many of those friends today.

In 1968, the United States military called and Jack accepted a position as Chaplain in the Air Force. Rising to the rank of Colonel, Jack served in the USAF for the next 23 years, during which time he was stationed in Germany, Italy, and England, as well as in Southeast Asia for two tours during the Vietnam War. His time in the military was distinguished by his receipt of several awards, including the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star, Commendation Medal, and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry. While stationed in England in the late 1980s, Jack heard a different calling, and devoted his heart and his love to his soul mate, Francis Elizabeth Livens, who became his wife. She was a talented and renowned artist, illustrator and writer. For the next 25 years, Jack and Francis remained best friends and shared one another’s passion for literature and history, first in San Antonio, Texas and then in England. They are now together again. In addition to Francis, Jack will be reunited with both of his parents (John and Bridget), two of his sisters, (“Sissy” and Sheila) and brothers- in- law (Jim Doolan and Peter Loonam), and many of his friends and fellow priests from a full and illustrious life. He is survived by his loving and adoring sister, Mary Doolan, and many nieces and nephews. Jack was a man of tremendous faith who lived his life to its fullest.