Paul J. Mahoney

Paul J. Mahoney of Norwood passed away peacefully on March 27, 2025 after a hard-fought battle with pancreatic cancer.  He was 70 years old.

Dear and devoted husband of 43 years of Theresa (Tannas) Mahoney.  Loving father of Krysten Hurwitz and her husband Scott of CT, and Meaghan Mertz and her husband Dustin of CO.  Cherished Papa of Jack and Matthew Hurwitz, and Madison and Maeve Mertz.  Dear brother of Jean Comparetti and her husband Paul of Canton, Ellen Hayes of NH, Joyce Walsh and her husband Kevin of Weymouth, Judy Morrissey and her husband Michael of Canton, Peter Mahoney of Holbrook, Marian O’Brien and her husband Paul of Dorchester, Matthew Mahoney and his wife Mary of Holbrook, Kathleen Moynihan and her husband Tom of Walpole, and Susanne Cunningham of Dedham.  Beloved son of the late Paul and Marian (O’Loughlin) Mahoney. Brother-in-law of Mansour Tannas of Dorchester, Frank Votruba of Canton, Karen Mahoney of Brockton, and the late Elizabeth Votruba and Tommy Tannas.  Also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.

Visiting hours Monday 3-7 p.m. at the Kfoury Keefe Funeral Home 8 Spring St. (corner of Centre St.) WEST ROXBURY.  Relatives and friends are also invited to gather at the gate of Mt. Hope Cemetery 355 Walk Hill St. Mattapan Tuesday at 10:45 a.m. for the Graveside Funeral Service, followed by a Celebration of Paul’s life at 12:30 p.m. at the Olde Colonial Cafe 171 Nahatan St. Norwood.

In lieu of flowers, please make contributions in Paul’s memory to the Lustgarten Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research (www.lustgarten.org) or to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (www.dana-farber.org). Please see links below under Donations.

Paul’s family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the nurses on 7N at Brigham & Women’s Hospital for their unwavering kindness and compassionate care.

A man of immense dedication and passion, Paul Mahoney’s life was defined by his unwavering commitment to education, his profound love for family, and his deep devotion to basketball.

Paul spent over 31 years teaching in the Boston Public Schools, beginning his career as an ESL teacher before taking on the role of Dean of Students at both Brighton High School and McCormack Middle School. Throughout his career, Paul was a beloved mentor, colleague, and friend. He had an incredible ability to connect with students, parents, and staff, leaving a lasting impact on the community. Paul’s kindness, generosity, and integrity were felt by all who knew him, and his legacy as an educator continues to inspire those whose lives he touched.

Alongside his teaching career, Paul’s passion for basketball ran deep. For over four decades, he coached at all levels—from BNBL and CYO to high school boys’ and girls’ teams and AAU. His coaching career was marked by state championship victories with Don Bosco and New Mission, and his contributions to the sport earned him a place in the Don Bosco Hall of Fame. Above all, Paul cherished coaching his two daughters, spending time together and strengthening the bond they shared through the game. Even after retiring from coaching, Paul remained involved in basketball, serving as a referee and mentoring new officials. His commitment to the sport and to helping others grow was an enduring part of his legacy.

In retirement, a friend introduced Paul to a men’s golf group, sparking a new passion in him. Though he started as a novice, Paul quickly became an avid golfer, playing numerous rounds across Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. He eventually became a skilled and competitive golfer, with two holes-in-one serving as some of his proudest achievements. Along the way, Paul made many close friends through the game. His perseverance and love for the game were evident as he played as often as he could.

Paul shared 43 wonderful years of marriage with his wife, Theresa. Together, they enjoyed visits to their grandchildren in Colorado and Connecticut, creating cherished memories with their loved ones. Paul’s love for his family was endless, and he was especially fond of taking his grandkids to the playground, attending their sporting events, and creating special moments with each of them. He was a proud papa, always ready with a smile and a word of encouragement.

Paul also had a great love for college basketball. After both of his daughters attended the University of Connecticut, he found himself passionately cheering for the Huskies, watching their games with excitement and pride. It was another way Paul connected with his family and his love for the sport.

In addition to his family and passions, Paul had a special love for banana splits. It was one of life’s simple pleasures that always brought a smile to his face.

But above all, Paul’s greatest joy was his family. The time spent with loved ones was what mattered most to him, and his family was at the center of his world. Paul’s boundless love and devotion will be deeply missed by those who knew him.

Paul leaves behind a large, loving family who will cherish the wisdom, laughter, and the endless stories he brought into their lives. His legacy will live on through the lives of the students he mentored, the athletes he coached, and the family he adored. Paul Mahoney may no longer walk among us, but his influence, love, and dedication will never be forgotten.