WPCNR Legacies of White Plains. May 22, 2006 Supplemented 4:47 P.M. E.D.T. Supplemented 11:27 P.M. E.D.T.: Frank McMahon has died. Mayor Joseph Delfino of White Plains in being notified of Mr. McMahon's death observed, "The passing of Frank McMahon is a true loss to the City of White Plains. Whether it was through his community service, his work at McMahon, Lyon & Hartnett Funeral Home, or his years of public service as a Councilman, Frank will always be remembered as man who cared about our community. He will be missed by those that had the honor of calling him a friend. I have asked that the flag at City Hall be flown at half mast for the remainder of the week in honor of Frank McMahon's passing."
Mr. McMahon, a lifelong resident of White Plains who lived for years on Mamaroneck Avenue just south of Rose Cleaners, a graduate of White Plains High School in 1933, a member of the football team, and the hockey team, member of the High school Hall of Fame, founded the funeral home to the White Plains community, Tracy-McMahon in 1942, which grew into the McMahon, Lyon & Hartnett Funeral Home of today.
Mr. McMahon died Sunday evening at his home. He was 91 years of age. Characterized by his grand-daughter as a man who loved White Plains, she recalled how he and Mike Savarella, of the old Burk & McGowan Hardware Store would drive around White Plains evenings and take down numbers of street lights that were out and phone them in to City Hall the next day.
Mr. McMahon was the first Secretary and later Treasurer of the White Plains Urban Renewal Agency, and a member of the Traffic Commission.
Mr. McMahon was born June 25, 1914 in North Tarrytown only because, his granddaughter said, his mother was visiting North Tarrytown that day. His granddaughter recalled today for WPCNR that Mr. McMahon was a member of the White Plains Common Council for two terms in the 1960s, 1962 through 1969 being first elected in 1961, she said, because that was the first election she ever voted in. A civic leader, volunteer fireman for 60 years, and involved citizen, Mr. McMahon was a Legacy of White Plains, and was named Citizen Extraordinaire by the White Plains Historical Society, among many honors.
Visiting Hours are Wednesday, 7 to 9 PM and Thursday, 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 at McMahon, Lyon & Hartnett Funeral Home, 491 Mamaroneck Avenue. Mass will be held at Our Lady of Sorrows 10 A.M. Friday in his honor.
"He just loved White Plains," his granddaughter said.
Frank McMahon, a lifelong White Plains resident, passed away on May 21, 2006. He was born in Tarrytown on June 25, 1914 to the late Joseph C. & Lucy (Smith) McMahon.
Frank graduated St. John’s Parochial School and White Plains High School class of 1933. He was a member of the Football team 1930 - 1931 and a manager in 1932. In 1930 he played on the first White Plains High School Hockey Team. He was the first Parish Council President for St. John the Evangelist Church.
After graduation, Frank worked for the local Ford dealership and the Dwyer Funeral Home in Tarrytown performing miscellaneous duties. He then attended and graduated The Collier School of Funeral Directors & Embalming in NYC. In 1942 he founded the funeral home known as Tracy & McMahon, with his father in law, Councilman T. George Tracy. In 1964 he acquired the 100 year old funeral home known as Lyon & Hartnett- Now known as McMahon, Lyon & Hartnett Funeral Home, Inc.
Frank has been an active and dedicated life member of the White Plains/ Ardsley Elks, a member of the Moose Lodge, and a member of, and past president of the White Plains Lion’s Club. He was awarded the Melvin Jones award which is the highest honor from Lion’s International. He was a charter member of Hibernans Division 17. He belonged to the Knights of Columbus Council # 450 & the John G. Coyle 4th degree.
In 1996 Frank served as the Grand Marshall for the first White Plains St. Patrick’s Day Parade. He was also the proud recipient of the Monsignor Edward O’Brien Common Service Award. In 2002 Frank was inducted into the White Plains High School Hall of Fame. In 2003 he was the proud recipient of the White Plains High School Tiger Fan Club “Sportsman of the Year” award. He was active in the White Plains High School- Class of 1933 – reunion group. Frank served as a Boy Scout Commissioner of the former Fenimore Cooper Council & is a lifelong member of the White Plains Historical Society an was made a “Citizen Extraordinaire”. He was also an accomplished drummer playing in many school, and later professional groups.
He was an active member and supporter of the White Plains Fire Department/ Volunteer Division and a member of the Hope Engine Co. #1, where he served as president and later Captain. He was elected Chief of the Volunteer Fire Department and served 2 years. He was a member of the Exempt Fireman’s Association , where he served as president for 21 years. He was also a member of the Westchester County Chief’s Association and the NYS Fire Chief’s Association.
Frank was a member of the Westchester County Metropolitan Funeral Directors Assoc., the NYS Funeral Director’s Assoc., and the National Funeral Director’s Association. He was a former member of the White Plains Traffic & Public Safety Commission and served 2 years on the WP Parking Authority. He served the WP Common Council for 8 years. He was also the Treasurer for 8 years and the Secretary of the WP Urban Renewal Agency for 2 years.
Frank was a parishioner and daily communicant of Our Lady of Sorrows Church and a past parishioner of St. Bernard’s and St. John the Evangelist Church.
He was a member of the Westchester Country Club and the Westchester Hills Golf Club for many years.
Frank is survived by his wife of 66 years, Marie (Tracy) McMahon. He is also survived by 3 beloved daughters; Marie F. McMahon, Anne Meltzer & her husband John and Jean Amodio & her husband Frank. Dear grandchildren: Tracy Harnaga and her husband Bob, Kathy & Sarah Meltzer, Carly, Kevin & Katie Amodio. He was the dear great grandfather of Megan, Molly & Ryan Harnaga. He is the beloved brother Leo & Edmund McMahon and the late Agatha McCabe and Harold McMahon. Survived by many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be Wednesday 7 – 9 PM and Thursday 2-4 & 7-9 PM. A mass of Christian burial will be at Our Lady of Sorrows Church on Friday at 10AM. Interment at Mount Calvary Cemetery.
