Tribute Wall
Thursday
12
May
Calling Hours
4:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Thursday, May 12, 2022
Enea Family Funeral Home Herkimer
220 N. Washington Street
Herkimer, New York, United States
Friday
13
May
Mass of Christian Burial
9:00 am
Friday, May 13, 2022
St Francis De Sales Church
219 N. Bellinger St
Herkimer, New York, United States
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Mike Buchmeier lit a candle
Saturday, May 14, 2022
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Mrs. McMahon and Family,
My deepest condolences to you and your family.
I will always remember Coach as an awesome coach, teacher and even greater mentor. He helped me believe in myself instilling self-confidence to help me become the best person I am today. Great memories of him will never be erased.
His greatest achievement though was his family. He always spoke proudly of all of you.
Coach is now in God's hands living an eternal life in Heaven. One day, there will be a joyful reunion when all of you will see him once again.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Rest in peace Coach.
Always,
Mike Buchmeier
Class of 1981
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Marsha & Irving Mason lit a candle
Saturday, May 14, 2022
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John McMahon - he will remain in the hearts and minds of all of us who knew him. The lives he mentored, the young people he encouraged, with discipline and love. We may never know just how many. A very special man. A human being unlike any other. RIP, dear John. You surely have left all of us your special legacy.
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Terry Farrell posted a condolence
Friday, May 13, 2022
Patricia and family I send my sincere condolences on the passing of John . My name is Terry Farrell and John and I were class mates at Epiphany and Sayre High School . I haven’t seen John in a long time but often thought of him. He was a good friend and will surely be missed. I still live in Sayre.
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Norman Thomas lit a candle
Thursday, May 12, 2022
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To the whole McMahon Family , My sincere condolences for your loss . Coach McMahon was a huge influence on me not only on the field but in life ! I am forever great full he gave his scrawny paper Carrier a chance to play line backer and that opportunity got me to college and a degree ! God speed Coach and thanks !
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Tim Marusic posted a condolence
Thursday, May 12, 2022
From my Facebook page:
I'm not sure where to start,…Moving to Herkimer mid-year in the 9th grade, I was not able to play football until the following fall. Herkimer had just hired a new coach, a young man in his twenties: always beyond his years in compassion, wisdom, and the ability to motivate young people. We lived in the same section of town and occasionally we would walk to school together, me with a heavy equipment bag over my shoulder for practice after school.
I had a feeling he sensed things weren't good at home, but it was never discussed. One fateful morning, my father pulled up alongside us in one of his rages, got out of the car and pointed his finger at me yelling about something that had occurred at home, got back in his car and speeded off. This young coach, not wanting to interfere, didn't say a word all the way till we got to the school. Once we arrived, he softly said to me, "You know Timmy, it's a tough thing for a young kid to come to terms with the fact that his father might not always do the right things or seem like a nice guy, but the sooner you realize that you have to make your own way in the world, the better off you will be." Words I carried with me the rest of my life.
The following summer, still playing for him, maybe 16 years old, he drove down Main St almost one in the morning on a run for milk for his kids for breakfast. He saw me sitting on a bench in front of the bank, most likely just trying to escape the chaos at home. He stopped, told me to get in, gave me a pep talk and drove me home. My senior year, his third year teaching, job on the line, we played our hearts out for him, becoming the 4th ranked team in New York State! We met up with the #1 team, Penn Yan on a cold, miserable monsoon like day, games were cancelled all over the state, it was there where we suffered our only defeat that year, among our opponents, two future NFL players! It was a tough loss, but none the less, we learned from the experience. This man didn't just teach football, he taught sportsmanship, teamwork, taking pride in all that you do, right down to always making sure you took pride in yourself, always looked presentable, jersey tucked in and chin strapped buckled, never to embarrass yourself or your team in any act of unsportsmanlike conduct. One of the oldest football rivalries in the country (over 90 years) was Herkimer –vs- Ilion. He told us, it doesn’t matter what your record is your senior year, 20 years from now, you will ALWAYS remember who won the Ilion game! Well, indeed we did that, as well as the rest of our games, bringing to Herkimer the first championship in over 21 years! After the season ended, he took Rick Brown Erich Nagele & myself on a weekend tour visiting colleges in Pennsylvania, overnighting at his parents home in Sayre PA. He was determined to help us play college ball if that's what we wanted to do.
Not long after my Sr. year, Coach was very ill, hospitalized in Boston, and I found myself driving his family out there to see him, the kids were in the back seats, so afraid of what would happen to their father. God was good and healed this great man, so that we all would have him in our lives for so many more years to come.
Several years later when my little brother PJ became old enough to play for him, he allowed me to serve as an assistant coach, just to be around him and be a positive influence in his life. I remember him in the middle of a drill telling PJ, he had all the natural talent in the world, and if he could just find the heart and drive that is older brother had, he would be a hell of a player. This was not to degrade him, but to inspire him. Which I must say, that it did.
During his senior year of high school our father passed away, a tough thing for anybody to go through, but with the help of his teammates, Coach, family and others we all survived. One time after an argument with my mother that got out of hand, she called me to come straighten him out. I left my job in Utica and drove directly to our house. PJ was nowhere to be found, fearing what his older brother might do. An hour later, I got a phone call from Coach saying PJ was in his living room on the couch, the same couch I had frequented so many times. He was in tears, very remorseful, but afraid to come home. Coach gave me the guidance I needed to make things better. Telling PJ to go home, things would be ok, but ALWAYS be aware that there was going to be watchful eyes over him from those that loved him, and if he stepped out of line, they would be there to get him back on the right path.
Not going to college, I ended up in the car business, and I am pretty certain over the next 20 years or so, he never bought a new car without buying it from me. In the years to follow, at any gathering he was at, you never joined in without him telling everyone there a unique and special story about you as a player playing for him. Always, without exception making you feel special and unique… I'm talking as grown men in our 40s and 50s....
Walking into a bar on his return from Vietnam at 20, he was informed you had to be 21 to drink in California. He looked the bartender in the eye, informed him he had just witnessed enough death and destruction to last a lifetime, so please give him a beer or call the police. The bartender's reply was simply, what are you having sir?
Along our journey together, he helped me learn to understand and forgive my father for all the pain in the past. On his last day of teaching I drove to the high school to meet him and congratulate him on his retirement. Offering a hug, this tough Irish man said to me, “Timmy you know I'm not a hugger!” When I visited him in the hospital recently, passed visiting hours, non-family not allowed, sneaking into the ICU, I entered his room, he opened his eyes and said, "Timmy Marusic, I was just thinking of you, and here you are before me!" We visited briefly, he told me he didn't think he was long for this world, and then went on to tell me what a good guy I was, how my brother would have never turned out to be the wonderful father, teacher of young minds, son and husband he was had it not been for me. Always making someone feel special, right up to the end. With tears in my eyes, I assured him all the credit was his, told him that I loved him, and we said our goodbyes.....
To his wife Pat, Sean, Brandon, and Colleen, thank you for sharing this wonderful man with the rest of us. You can see from the hundreds of people chiming in that this man touched so many lives in such a positive way. As someone once said, "Don't be sad that it's over, be grateful that it happened."
Thank you for all you did for me, my family, and so many people in our community. You would be so humbled by all the love and praise that is being proclaimed in your name today. I love you Coach, until we meet again, #73 Timmy
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Philip bailey posted a condolence
Wednesday, May 11, 2022
The Monday nite golf league send our condolences to your family our thoughts and prayers our with your family at this difficult time all the members of our league always had a good time when we played against John and his partner Earl may John rest in peace
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Lorie Kelley Petrosky posted a condolence
Monday, May 9, 2022
Dear Patricia, So sorry for your loss. John was a wonderful cousin to me and my family. I have fond memories of him as a teenager doing handstands and walking upside down the long length of our driveway---all while the grownups worried he would break his neck! All the kids laughing and cheering him on! John was always loved and cherished by my mother, his Aunt Kate. Hugs to you and yours! Lorie (Kelley) Petrosky
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The Aitken Family purchased flowers
Monday, May 9, 2022
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Sending with love and remembrance for a wonderful brother, husband, father, grandfather and Coach!
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Egan Family, Jim,Cathy, Carrie ,Andy, Tara ,John, Steve,Amy purchased flowers
Saturday, May 7, 2022
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Our deepest sympathies. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers.
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Egan Family, Jim,Cathy, Carrie ,Andy, Tara ,John, Steve,Amy planted a tree in memory of John McMahon
Saturday, May 7, 2022
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Our deepest sympathies. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers.
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Dave Blask posted a condolence
Saturday, May 7, 2022
McMahon Family-so very sorry for your loss. Coach was a Legend, Larger than life. He lived life the right way-having a positive influence on so many. That kind of Legacy lives on.
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Coach John posted a condolence
Saturday, May 7, 2022
Condolences to the McMahon family on the passing of their Dad. With respect and a tip of the helmet to the Magicians Head Coach.
Respectfully,
Ilion Golden Bomber
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Francine Bassett posted a condolence
Friday, May 6, 2022
Sean - I’m so sorry to hear of your fathers passing.
Sending thoughts and prayers for you and your family during this difficult time.
Take good care, Francine Bassett
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Andrea Kim lit a candle
Friday, May 6, 2022
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Dear Brandon and the entire McMahon Family, I'm so sorry to hear about this. Your entire family was always so kind and welcoming to me and it's something I've remembered all these years later. My family and I send you the deepest sympathy and support across the miles and time. May his memory be a blessing.
-Andrea (Giachetti) Kim
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With love - Durgee Guidance purchased flowers
Friday, May 6, 2022
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We are so sorry for your loss.
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The Joseph Guiffre Family lit a candle
Friday, May 6, 2022
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John created many wonderful memories and touched many young people's lives during his career at Herkimer High School. He will certainly never be forgotten. Our sincere sympathy to the McMahon family.
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Kathleen Burks lit a candle
Thursday, May 5, 2022
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My deepest sympathy to the McMahon Family, so sorry for your loss!
Kathleen Burks (Sullivan)
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Frank A Phillips lit a candle
Thursday, May 5, 2022
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Mrs. McMahon, Sean, Brandon, and Colleen, our family sends our deepest sympathies to you and yours during this very difficult time. Coach will be missed by all who played for him. Coach was always such a humble man with a competitive spirit, our thoughts and prayers are with you. Love Frank Phillips Love you Coach RIP!!! #GoHerk!!!
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Bob Brothers lit a candle
Thursday, May 5, 2022
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I was on his first HHS team in '74. He was a great leader and better man. Condolences to John's family.
Bob Brothers
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Sandor Kozma posted a condolence
Thursday, May 5, 2022
So sorry to hear of Coach’s passing……..he was and will always be my favorite…..Rest In Peace….til we meet again! The Kozma Family!!
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David & Jan Piwinski lit a candle
Thursday, May 5, 2022
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Patricia and family - we are so very sorry for your loss. We will always have fond memories of our families growing up together on Lansing Street. Prayers and love.
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MICHAEL J SCIALDO lit a candle
Thursday, May 5, 2022
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To the McMahon family: So sorry for your loss, my thoughts and prayers are with you all, it was a honor to know Coach and what he did for the Herkimer School system and the community was amazing. RIP Coach Michael Scialdo
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Michael & Rosemarie Scanlon posted a condolence
Thursday, May 5, 2022
To the McMahon Family,
John was an exceptional person on and off the field. He left a legacy that will live forever.
A Memorial Tree was planted for John McMahon
Thursday, May 5, 2022
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We are deeply sorry for your loss ~ the staff at Enea Family Funeral Home (Herkimer)
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The family of John F. McMahon uploaded a photo
Thursday, May 5, 2022
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Our Locations
Enea Family Funeral Home
24 West Monroe St. Little Falls,NY 13365
Tel: (315) 823-2424
Enea Family Funeral Home
F.K.A. Holleran Funeral Service
220 N. Washington St. Herkimer, NY 13350
Tel: (315) 866-1011
Enea & Ciaccia Family Funeral Home
Applegate-Day & Enea Family Funeral Home
4309 Acme Rd. Town of Frankfort, Ilion, NY 13357
Tel: (315) 894-8000
Enea Family Funeral Home
9 Center St. St.Johnsville, NY 13452
Tel: (518) 568-2300
Applegate-Day & Enea Family Funeral Home
102 West St. Ilion, NY 13357
Tel: (315) 895-7722
Enea Family Funeral Homes
The Enea, Ciaccia, Applegate and Day Funeral Directors have been serving the families of the Mohawk Valley for over a century. Our belief is not only that we are guiding and supporting our community, but that we ARE the community. The families we provide strength and comfort for are the same families that we were raised with...that our children are being raised with. Therefore, it is our passion to be sure that everyone who enters through our doors is treated as family...