William T. Mahan

Bill was born at home in New Haven, Connecticut, to the late William J. Mahan and Marguerite Buckmaster Mahan. He was Jesuit educated and graduated from Fairfield University in 1952, where he majored in Pre-Law and Government. After graduation Bill entered the Army and served as a Staff Sergeant during the Korean War. He was Honorably Discharged in 1960. In 1954, while in the Army, he married Nancy Jeanne Keeley, the girl next door, whom he had known since childhood. They would have celebrated their 69 th wedding anniversary in February. After being released from active military service in 1954, Bill joined IBM where he had a 33 year career. He began as a computer operator, when few people knew what computers were.His years with IBM spanned the era of a dynamic changes in information processing technology.He was promoted to several management positions during his career working mostly in the systems and marketing areas.

In August 1962, Bill and Nancy, with their 3 children, moved to New City, where Bill was active in coaching community baseball, was a Boy Scout Merit Badge Counselor, and was involved in many civic programs. He also served as a Head Usher at Saint Augustine’s Church. After retiring from IBM in 1987 he worked for 24 years as Marketing Director of Good Living Expositions - Show Promoters. The company conducted shows throughout the NY, NJ Metropolitan area. The premier show in Rockland County was the Suburban Home Improvement and Gardening Show held annually in February at the Rockland Community College in Suffern, NY.

Bill was very active in veteran affairs having served as Commander of the William E. DeBevoise, Jr., American Legion Post 1682 in New City, and Rockland County Commander. He also held a variety of other positions, and served on various committees at the county, district, and state level of the American Legion. . He served as NY State American Legion Consultant for the Legislative Committee, and had been actively involved in pursuing veteran benefits at the Capitol in Albany. He was also a member of the NY State Senate Veterans Advisory Committee, and the National Americanism Council. In recognition of his many achievements the New City Post awarded him a Life Membership in the American Legion. He was also a member of the 40/8, ANIVICUS, the Disabled American Veterans, the Korean War Veterans, the Vietnam Veterans of America and the Haverstraw Elks. In 2001, Bill was appointed by the Governor, and approved by the NY State Senate, to the Board of Visitors at the NY State Veterans Home in Montrose, NY, and served as President for eight years. He received many Service Awards, including Rockland County Executive Award of Appreciation, NY Senate and Assembly Certificates of Merit, Rockland County Legislature Certificate of Achievement in Appreciation for Service Rendered to the County of Rockland, and in 2007 the Shatemuc Chapter of the National Society, Daughters of the American Revolution awarded him the Community Service Award. In 2011 Bill was named Rockland County Legionnaire of the Year and Rockland County Veteran of the Year. In 2012 he was inducted into the NY State Veterans Hall of Fame in Albany, NY, and in 2014 he was named Clarkstown Senior Citizen of the year.

Besides his wife, Bill is survived by his sons, Professor William T. Mahan, Jr. and Keith R. Mahan, his daughter Lauri J. Foley and son-in-law Dave Foley, his three grandchildren, Calder T. Mahan, Maura K. Mahan and James W.J. Mahan, and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his sisters, Janice M. Seaferd and Lorraine M. Koehler.

Family will receive visitors on Friday 3pm-7pm at Higgins Funeral Home in New City. An American Legion Service will be held at 3:30. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at St. Augustine’s Church in New City on Saturday at 10am. Burial with full Military Honors will follow at the Fred Loescher Veterans Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to the NY State Veterans Home – 2090 Albany Post Road in Montrose, New York 10548-1454.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MJHigginsNewCity.com for the Mahan family.