Richard M. Mahoney

Visitation for Richard “Dick” Michael Mahoney, 82, of Lake Zurich since 1988, formerly of Chicago, IL, will be held Wednesday, July 2, 2025, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. at the Ahlgrim Family Funeral Home, 415 S. Buesching Road, Lake Zurich, IL 60047. Family and Friends will meet Thursday. July 3, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, 20953 W. Hoff Road, Elwood, IL 60421 for Military Honors at 10:30 a.m.

Dick was born December 26, 1942, in Chicago and passed away June 26, 2025, at home surrounded by his family.

Dick was the beloved husband of 52 years of Edith L. (nee Krause) Mahoney; loving father of Jason (Rachelle) Mahoney, Jill (Andy) Cornell, Kelli (Neil) Pawelczak; loving grandfather of Nickolas, Cody, Braden, Jacob, Wyatt, Alyssa, Samantha, David, Kennedy, Matthew, Piper; fond brother of Garrett Mahoney.

In the 82 years that Dick lived, he was so many things to so many people. He was a son, a brother, a loving husband, a supportive dad, an attentive grandpa, an encouraging coach and a friend to everyone who had the honor to meet him. Dick truly had a heart of gold; was always looking out for others, lending a listening ear or arms for a hug. He never met an animal (especially dogs) that wasn’t an instant best friend. Dick didn’t just live for his happiness, but for the happiness of all those blessed to be in his life.

Dick was a lifelong lover of many sports and music. Both in grade school and continuing in high school, Dick played trumpet in the ensemble band, earning several district and state awards for his participation. During his years at Grayslake Community High School as well as at North Park University (after his time in the Marines), he participated in football and baseball; as part of teams that won several conference championships. After graduating from college, he became a Physical Education teacher at his alma mater (North Park). He also continued his love of sports by becoming a coach of football, baseball and wrestling at North Park, where he led the wrestling team to their 1st ever conference championship in 1972. He was inducted into the North Park University Hall of Fame in October of 2015. Following the birth of his son, he was excited to eventually coach his own son’s baseball and football teams. He led his son’s River Park Baseball team to the Chicago City league championship in 1985.

At 19 years old, he enlisted in the Marines. He was initially stationed in San Diego, California and later transferred to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. While in Hawaii, he was chosen to play baseball for the USMC team. He was honorably discharged in August of 1968 and began his college education at North Park University, graduating in 1969.

Following his career at North Park University, Dick earned his Master’s Degree at Concordia University in educational administration and began a new career at Evanston Township High School (ETHS) as a Physical Education and Driver’s Education teacher and then Dean of Students as well as coaching football, wrestling, baseball and girl’s golf. Coach Mahoney, as he became known to everyone at the school, was most well known and loved for his pension for whistling through the halls. He was respected as being a strict, but fair administrator, as well as a beloved coach and mentor, who was always there to lend a listening ear to his students and athletes. Dick retired from ETHS in May of 2005, after 31 years.

Even in retirement, Dick could not be kept out of the classroom. He continued to substitute teach at ETHS, Lake Zurich High School and Stevenson High School; teaching driver’s education. He also continued pursuing his love of sports by coaching youth golf and flag football, as a referee for youth basketball in the Lake Zurich community and playing many rounds of golf with his grandsons. He also enjoyed travelling extensively throughout his life with his wife and family, making trips to Disney World and Land, many cruises, Hawaii, and twice to Ireland, just to name a few. He was an avid reader and a fierce advocate for animals, especially dogs. In his later years, his 11 grandchildren were the highlight of his life, and he enjoyed participating and attending as many of their activities as possible. As the patriarch of his family, he will be deeply missed by all he has left behind. Semper Fi, Marine.

In lieu of flowers, memorials will be appreciated to the Alzheimer’s Association or K9s for Warriors.