Cover photo for Eugene Mahoney's Obituary
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1933 Eugene 2022

Eugene Mahoney

August 18, 1933 — January 13, 2022

Denver

Eugene (“Gene”) Thomas Mahoney, 88, passed away on January 13, 2022, in his home of almost 49 years.  He was born August 18, 1933, in Chicago, Illinois, to Lillian and William Mahoney.

Gene was a proud Irishman and union man, but his passion was his family.

Gene grew up in an Irish Catholic neighborhood in Chicago. When he was eight years old he lost his father, an electrician, to an industrial accident. His family relied on the generosity of the Church and other family members for support. His older brothers went to work and took care of him and the family.  Tired of being constantly told what to do by his siblings, Gene joined the Army National Guard. Only problem was, he lied about his age on his application.  When his mom found out what he had done, she marched right down and had words with his recruiter.

After completing his service, Gene had many jobs, but found his calling as an electrician and became a Master Electrician.  He became a proud member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), Chicago Local 134, in 1951, and retired from Denver Local 68 in 1998.  You may have seen him around town in his Lincoln with IBEW license plates.  He had an incredible ability to size up a problem and quickly come up with a solution, making his advice and counsel invaluable. Gene was always willing to jump in and help, and was the first source when one of his kids encountered a problem.

At 19, Gene met Jean Barker, and their story began.  After dating for three years, they were married on August 27, 1955 at St. Rita’s in Chicago.  The Mahoneys started their family on the South Side of Chicago, where his children learned all the Irish songs and happily sang and acted out the song “The Unicorn.” The family of twelve moved to Denver in 1973. While Mom was the boss of the family, his children always hated to hear, “Wait until your father gets home.”  That big guy (6’2” and 200 lbs) could have you shaking in your boots. He was known to take bedroom doors off hinges when they were slammed once too often.  His daughters’ boyfriends were weary of the deep-voiced big guy, certain he was waiting behind the front door with a shotgun (he wasn’t).  And on occasion, he had to escort his children home from the principal’s office.  But he could also surprise you with his quiet compassion, taking in his kids’ friends when they were in trouble because he hoped someone would do the same for his children if needed.  After the death of his wife, without missing a beat he took up the torch of remembering family birthdays and important occasions, kept tabs on what everyone was doing, and went to all the baseball games and parties he could.

He worked incredibly hard to provide for his family.  Not only was he an electrician, but at times he also was an entrepreneur, opening up a lamp store with his brothers and a hardware store by himself, and trying his hand at fast food chicken restaurants in Illinois and Colorado.  When things got tight and the work in Colorado came to a halt, he made the difficult decision to return to Chicago where he could continue to work. Leaving family in Colorado was difficult, but he was a man dedicated to providing for his family.  When he became a grandfather, Gene made up for that lost time.  His grandchildren were always drawn to and adored him, and the feeling was mutual.  His size didn’t scare them at all.  He had a unique bond with each one, and particularly enjoyed when they would stop by to see him for no reason.  He was fortunate enough to have started that special relationship with the next generation of kids, and was pleased to learn before he passed of the first great grandchild who will carry on the Mahoney name.

Gene is preceded in death by the love of his life, Jean Mae Mahoney, who we imagine had a big smile on her face when she got to see him again.  Gene is also preceded in death by his parents, brothers Bud and Don, and sister, Marilyn.

Gene is survived by his ten children: Eugene (Sharon) Mahoney, Fran (Ed) Gleason, Laurie (Tony) Van Camp, Donna Baker, Diane Mahoney, Mark (Fran) Mahoney, Karen Mahoney, Emmett (Cecilia) Mahoney, Kristen Bushlack, and Danny (Amber) Mahoney; his grandchildren: Eddie (Hayley) Gleason, Christopher (Alyssa) Mahoney, Michael (Sarah) Gleason, Zach (Itsy) Van Camp, Thomas Gleason, Meghan (Scott) Pomeroy, Kate (Zach) Jones, Sarah Mahoney, Kyle Van Camp, Steven Baker, Rachel Mahoney, Samantha Bushlack, Patrick (Elizabeth) Mahoney, Nicholas Bushlack, Brandon Bushlack, Ryan Mahoney, Grant Bushlack, and Claire, Paige, and Jack Mahoney, and Gregory and Danielle Crapanzano; and great grandchildren: Liam, Lucas, Marlee, Lilly, Teddy, Albert, Nash, and Willa.

Gene was also a dog lover, and his many dogs were a source of love and companionship throughout his life.

Gene will be missed by many, including the staff at Starbucks.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation be made to your favorite charity, Habitat Restore, or Dumb Friends League.

Visitation will be Wednesday, January 19, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., at Church of the Risen Christ, 3060 S. Monaco Pkwy., Denver. An online guest register is available at www.horancares.com .  A funeral mass will be held at 10:00 on Thursday, January 20, at Church of the Risen Christ.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Eugene Mahoney, please visit our flower store.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Visitation

Wednesday, January 19, 2022

5:00 - 7:00 pm (Mountain (no DST) time)

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Funeral Mass

Thursday, January 20, 2022

Starts at 10:00 am (Mountain (no DST) time)

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