Owen W. Mahony, 95, passed away peacefully Wednesday, December 1, 2021 at the Kent Regency in Warwick. He was the beloved husband of Ellen Teresa (Heslin) Mahony for 69 years. Born in Providence, Owen was the son of Timothy A. and Agnes (McNamara) Mahony. He was the loving father of Maureen Cohen, Kathleen Harum, Timothy Mahony, Patricia Riesenkampff, Kevin Mahony, Sean Mahony, Sheila Sylvestre, Meg Preston, Michael Mahony, Ellen Bonner, Thomas Mahony, and Brian Mahony. Owen is also survived by 34 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. He was the brother of the late Claire Dimond. Following his Woonsocket High School graduation in 1943, Owen joined the Navy. At 18 years of age, he drove an LST (Landing Ship Transport) onto Omaha Beach in the 1st wave of the D Day invasion in Normandy, France. After his honorable Navy discharge, Owen earned a Bachelors Degree from Providence College and a Masters from Boston College. In 1957, Owen began a career as the Executive Director of the United Way in upstate New York. The family returned to RI in 1970 when Owen accepted a position as the Chief Development Officer for MHRH- a social service agency for hospitals and the disabled. Owen was an avid tennis player until he was 91, loved gardening and bird watching, lively debates, community service, all things Irish, the Red Sox, and PC Friars Basketball. He was dedicated to his faith and family. “Poppy” was one of the “Greatest Generation” and was a role model of a true gentleman, a compassionate listener, and a devoted family man. He said marriage to the love of his life and “the 12” were his most important accomplishment. Relatives and friends are invited to a Mass of Christian Burial Thursday, December 9, 2021 at 11:00 am in St. Clement Church, Long Street, Warwick. Burial with Military Honors will be in the Veterans Cemetery in Exeter. Visiting hours are Wednesday 4-8 pm in the Thomas and Walter Quinn Funeral Home, 2435 Warwick, Avenue, Warwick. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Owen’s name to the RI Community Food Bank and/or St. Rose School in Warwick.
