Mr. John D. “Jack” Mahaney, 85, of 9 Doane Rd., East Orleans, MA and 174 Southwest Rd., Waterbury, CT passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Friday, December 26, 2014. He was the loving husband of Ellen (McNaney) Mahaney for 61 years.
Jack, a distinguished, lifelong resident of Waterbury, was born in Waterbury on February 18, 1929. He was the son of the late Daniel John and Marie (Lawlor) Mahaney. He was a graduate of Crosby High School Class of 1947, Fairfield University Class of 1952 and UConn School of Law Class of 1958. He began a private law practice in 1958 and subsequently founded the law firm of Mahaney, Geghan and Sullivan in Waterbury.

A true statesman, Jack was active in Waterbury politics and served as the Corporation Counsel for the City of Waterbury for many years. He also filled his father’s seat in the Connecticut State Legislature, a position his father held for 30 years. In addition, he was appointed a Superior Court Judge by former Connecticut Governor Ella T. Grasso. After 37 years of service as a lawyer, politician, judge, and civil servant, Jack retired in 1995 to spend more time at his homes in East Orleans and Palm Beach Gardens, FL with his wife and family. He truly enjoyed hunting, fishing, socializing with friends, spending time with his family, and traveling the world with his beloved wife Ellen. He was also a devoted communicant of St. Joan of the Arc Church and St. John of the Cross Church.

Nauset Heights was truly special to Jack. He and Ellen first arrived on the Heights during the summer of 1963 and rented the “Salt Box -Yoke” owned by Alein (Owens) and Frank Merrill. They immediately fell in love with the pristine beaches and natural beauty of Nauset Heights. In the spring of 1964, Jack purchased one of the Merrill’s other homes, “My Fair Lady,” on what was then known as Doane Way. It gave Jack great pleasure to know that Ellen and his children could spend the summers on the Heights while he drove back and forth to work in CT.

His most precious moments on the Heights were driving to the point in his old jeep with his wife Ellen by his side and drifting for stripers “on the inside” with his children and grandchildren in his 20 foot Mako known as “The Maid of Orleans”. He never failed to land a “keeper” for Ellen! He also enjoyed his daily walks around Nauset Heights with his many Boston Terriers (for the last dozen years it was his buddy “Molly”) as he happily shared his sense of humor and one-liners with friends and neighbors. Jack was most at ease on the Heights because it was there that he traded his lawyer’s hat for a tattered chambray shirt, fishing cap, and ripped blue jeans with a filet knife attached to his belt. He will always be remembered as a kind and friendly neighbor whose door was open to any passerby.

Besides his wife Ellen, Jack leaves to cherish his memory; two sons, Atty. Daniel J. Mahaney (his late wife Lisa) of Middlebury and John Mahaney, Jr. of Phoenix, AZ and two daughters, Beth Caldwell and her husband Trip of Woodbury, CT and Meg Smith and her husband Greg of North Stonington, CT. He also leaves eight grandchildren; Christopher Doyle of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Jack Doyle and his wife Tara of Old Saybrook, CT, Lauren Mahaney and her husband Jacques van der Vyver of Milford, CT, Amy Errichetti of Fletcher, N.C., C.J. Errichetti of Cedar City, Utah, Danny Errichetti of Salt Lake City, Utah, and Johnny and Bobby Mahaney, both of Phoenix, AZ, as well as a sister-in-law, MaryJane Roosa, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his two brothers, Private First Class Daniel J. Mahaney who was killed in action on November 11, 1944, and Robert Mahaney who died in an accident in 1942.

Mr. John D. “Jack” Mahaney, 85, of 9 Doane Rd., East Orleans, MA and 174 Southwest Rd., Waterbury, CT passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Friday, December 26, 2014. He was the loving husband of Ellen (McNaney) Mahaney for 61 years.
Jack, a distinguished, lifelong resident of Waterbury, was born in Waterbury on February 18, 1929. He was the son of the late Daniel John and Marie (Lawlor) Mahaney. He was a graduate of Crosby High School Class of 1947, Fairfield University Class of 1952 and UConn School of Law Class of 1958. He began a private law practice in 1958 and subsequently founded the law firm of Mahaney, Geghan and Sullivan in Waterbury.

A true statesman, Jack was active in Waterbury politics and served as the Corporation Counsel for the City of Waterbury for many years. He also filled his father’s seat in the Connecticut State Legislature, a position his father held for 30 years. In addition, he was appointed a Superior Court Judge by former Connecticut Governor Ella T. Grasso. After 37 years of service as a lawyer, politician, judge, and civil servant, Jack retired in 1995 to spend more time at his homes in East Orleans and Palm Beach Gardens, FL with his wife and family. He truly enjoyed hunting, fishing, socializing with friends, spending time with his family, and traveling the world with his beloved wife Ellen. He was also a devoted communicant of St. Joan of the Arc Church and St. John of the Cross Church.

Nauset Heights was truly special to Jack. He and Ellen first arrived on the Heights during the summer of 1963 and rented the “Salt Box -Yoke” owned by Alein (Owens) and Frank Merrill. They immediately fell in love with the pristine beaches and natural beauty of Nauset Heights. In the spring of 1964, Jack purchased one of the Merrill’s other homes, “My Fair Lady,” on what was then known as Doane Way. It gave Jack great pleasure to know that Ellen and his children could spend the summers on the Heights while he drove back and forth to work in CT.

His most precious moments on the Heights were driving to the point in his old jeep with his wife Ellen by his side and drifting for stripers “on the inside” with his children and grandchildren in his 20 foot Mako known as “The Maid of Orleans”. He never failed to land a “keeper” for Ellen! He also enjoyed his daily walks around Nauset Heights with his many Boston Terriers (for the last dozen years it was his buddy “Molly”) as he happily shared his sense of humor and one-liners with friends and neighbors. Jack was most at ease on the Heights because it was there that he traded his lawyer’s hat for a tattered chambray shirt, fishing cap, and ripped blue jeans with a filet knife attached to his belt. He will always be remembered as a kind and friendly neighbor whose door was open to any passerby.

Besides his wife Ellen, Jack leaves to cherish his memory; two sons, Atty. Daniel J. Mahaney (his late wife Lisa) of Middlebury and John Mahaney, Jr. of Phoenix, AZ and two daughters, Beth Caldwell and her husband Trip of Woodbury, CT and Meg Smith and her husband Greg of North Stonington, CT. He also leaves eight grandchildren; Christopher Doyle of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Jack Doyle and his wife Tara of Old Saybrook, CT, Lauren Mahaney and her husband Jacques van der Vyver of Milford, CT, Amy Errichetti of Fletcher, N.C., C.J. Errichetti of Cedar City, Utah, Danny Errichetti of Salt Lake City, Utah, and Johnny and Bobby Mahaney, both of Phoenix, AZ, as well as a sister-in-law, MaryJane Roosa, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his two brothers, Private First Class Daniel J. Mahaney who was killed in action on November 11, 1944, and Robert Mahaney who died in an accident in 1942.