Michael Thomas Mahoney
Michael Thomas Mahoney
Michael Thomas Mahoney, 69, passed away peacefully at his
home on Saturday, April 14, 2012, after fighting a long, courageous battle with
cancer, with his family by his side.
Mike was born on May 17, 1942, in Coeur d’ Alene, to Thomas
and Eileen Mahoney. They were a proud Irish family. Mike had 3 sisters,
Colleen, Dani and Mary. The family moved to Spokane, when Mike was a young
child. He was a proud graduate of Gonzaga Prep. He was later drafted and was a
US Army Green Beret and Paratrooper, serving in the Vietnam War. When he
returned, he met and fell in love with his beautiful wife, Cheryl Churchwell.
In 1969, they were married in Missoula, Mt.
Mike and Cheryl made their first home in Spokane, where Mike
received his Master’s degree from Gonzaga Univ. in Sociology and Education.
They also enjoyed the birth of their two children, Michael and Susan. In 1976,
they moved to El Centro, CA where Mike fulfilled his childhood dream of working
in law enforcement, as a Border Patrol Agent and developed a love for the
Mexican culture. Mike and Cheryl moved their family to Twin Falls, ID in 1982.
In 1990, Mike was transferred to Boise. He made several very
close friends working as a Special Agent for Dept. of Immigration and has many
great memories of his time there. Mike had a passion for wanting to help
people. He taught several classes and became a counselor at the Idaho Dept. of
Corrections, after retiring from law enforcement. He also loved volunteering
his time at the Veteran’s Hospital.
Mike was an old cowboy at heart. He loved reading Louis
L’Amour novels, watching old westerns and listening to Willie Nelson. If you
knew Mike, you probably spent time on his deck enjoying a BBQ with his “famous”
chicken wings, some Mexican music and a cold beer. Mike loved his weekly
“coffee hour” with the boys. He enjoyed
his annual hunting trip with his son and many friends. Mike had Boise State
football tickets and enjoyed tailgating with family and friends. Christmas was
a favorite time for Mike and his family. The Mahoney’s loved playing cribbage,
watching “A Christmas Story” and eating Cheryl’s wonderful cooking.
Mike is survived by his loving wife, Cheryl; his sisters,
Dani (Steve) Poffenroth and Mary (Pat) McCarthy of WA; son, Mike (Cammy) and
daughter, Susan of Boise, and his 2 beautiful granddaughters, Alexandrea and
Makenzie, along with an adoring extended family, nieces and nephews, a
father-in-law, wonderful friends and his canine “side kick”, Clancy.
Mike was preceded in death by his parents, Tom and Eileen and
his sister, Colleen.
Mike always had a positive outlook on life and was quick to
share his amazing smile. He was hard working, determined and accomplished many
things. Mike was a protector and provider to his wonderful wife. He was a hero
to his children and grandchildren. They all knew he loved them and was proud of
each of them. Mike was always surrounded by family and friends who loved and
adored him. We will miss him!
A funeral mass will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 21,
at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 811 S. Latah St, Boise, with a reception
following.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Michael Thomas Mahoney, please visit our flower store.
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