Donald Mahan, Sr.

CHARLTON – Donald R. Mahan, Sr., 82, of Ramshorn Road, died peacefully on Sunday, December 6, 2015, at the Overlook Masonic Health Center in Charlton, with his family by his side. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Jean M. (Hopkins) Mahan of Charlton; four children, Michael L. Mahan and his wife Teresa of Charlton, Donald R. Mahan Jr. and his wife Ellen of Charlton, Sandra J. Mahan of Charlton, and Karen M. Hernandez of Southbridge; two sisters, Gladys Longwell of Worcester and Betty McOwen of Riverview, FL; seven grandchildren, Brianna, Donald III, Keenan, Ryan, Emily, Eliza, and Jesse; one great grandson, Timothy; and many loving nephews and nieces. He was predeceased by three brothers, Richard, Harold, and George Mahan; and a sister, Dorothy Grace. He was born in Worcester, son of the late Lloyd and Bessie (Stockwell) Mahan, and lived in Worcester before moving to Charlton in 1960. He graduated from Commerce High School in 1950, and was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War.

Mr. Mahan worked for Wyman-Gordon Corporation in Worcester and Millbury for 38 years, retiring in 1991. He was a volunteer firefighter on the Charlton Fire Department and was one of the founders of the Charlton Ambulance Service. He was a charter member and past Deputy Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus Council 11379 in Charlton. He was Scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 165 in Charlton.

Mr. Mahan was a parishioner of St. Joseph’s Church in Charlton, where he was a Eucharistic minister, CCD teacher, worked with marriage preparation and belonged to Marriage Encounter. He was a member of the Order of Secular Franciscans and participated in The Cursillo Movement.

Mr. Mahan enjoyed his home-away-from-home in Biddeford, Maine, for many years. He was an avid sports fan of all the New England teams, especially the Patriots and the Red Sox. He loved fishing, camping, hunting, canoeing, biking, hiking, and cross-country skiing. He will be remembered as someone who could fix anything and enjoyed working on cars. His smile was infectious and it showed through his eyes to all who knew him. He had the greatest love for his family, faith, community, country, and ice cream.

Calling hours are Thursday, December 10, 2015, from 3-6 p.m. at St. Joseph Church, 10 H. Putnam Rd. Ext., Charlton. A funeral Mass will be held on Thursday at 6:00 p.m. at St. Joseph Church immediately following the calling hours. Burial will be private at a later date at Northside Cemetery in Charlton. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph Church, P.O. Box 338, Charlton City, MA 01508. Paradis-Givner Funeral Home in Oxford is directing the arrangements.