Thomas J. McMahon, Jr.

Thomas J. McMahon, Jr., 79 years old, of Westvale, died quietly at his home Wednesday, February 22, 2006 after suffering from a brief illness. Mr. McMahon was a 1945 graduate of North High School. Born in Syracuse on Thursday, February 17, 1927, he was the son of Thomas John McMahon, Sr. and Helen Johnson. In World War II Mr. McMahon volunteered for the Army Air Corps (the forerunner of the United States Air Force). He served for two years as a cryptographer, decoding messages for the military. He was a member of the occupation forces in Germany. After returning from military service, Mr. McMahon entered Syracuse University on the G.I. Bill and earned a B.A. in 1950. He later earned a Master's in Social Work from Syracuse University in 1963. Mr. McMahon spent forty years working for the Onondaga County Department of Social Services, starting his career as a caseworker and eventually becoming the Director of Income Maintenance in 1968. He retired in 1991. He was a family man who loved his children. Mr. McMahon is survived by his wife of 49 years, Marie G. McMahon (formerly Marie M. Gettino) and four sons; Timothy C. McMahon (Rebecca), an electrical engineer for IBM in Burlington, Vermont; Stephen T. McMahon, an attorney in Syracuse; Robert J. McMahon (Rosemarie), an electrical engineer for IBM in Burlington, Vermont; John T. McMahon (Kathleen), a premium auditor for Overland Solutions in Syracuse. Mr. McMahon is also survived by four granddaughters and one grandson. Services will be at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, February 25, 2006 at the Buranich Funeral Home, 5431 W. Genesee St., Camillus and at 9 a.m. in Holy Family Church where a funeral Mass will be celebrated by Rev. Cleophas Tuka. Friends may call Friday, February 24, 2006 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be at Greenlawn Cemetery in Warners. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 6725 Lyons St., P.O. Box 7, E. Syracuse, NY 13057.