MAHON, Thomas Joseph. Sr., 88, of Newburyport, formerly of Arlington, passed peacefully surrounded by his loving family on November 29, 2020. Beloved husband of the late Gael P. (Harrington) Mahon. Devoted father of Catherine Harrington-Mahon of Winchester, Tara Mahon McQuaid and her husband Michael of Newburyport, Thomas J. Mahon Jr. and his wife Kelly of Newburyport, Kerry Mahon Lebreck and her husband Michael of Salisbury, Meghan Gael Sonn and her husband James of Boulder, CO, the late Erin Mahon Crowther, and the late infant Thomas J. Mahon II. Loving grandfather of Eileen Gael Dunleavy, Conor Dunleavy, Abigael, Brendan and Sean Crowther, Rudy McQuaid, Fiona Gael Mahon, Brynn and Taryn Lebreck and Liam Sonn. Dear brother of John Mahon of Braintree, Ann Mahon Powers of Arlington, Joan Barry of FL, the late James Mahon and the late Richard Mahon. Further survived by his in-laws and many loving nieces and nephews. Tom was born and raised in Arlington, Massachusetts. He was the loving son of John Mahon who hailed from Bunclody, County Wexford, Ireland, and Catherine White Mahon who hailed from Kinsale, County Cork, Ireland. He was a graduate of Arlington High School Class of 1950. After two years of college, despite having a draft exemption, he volunteered to serve in the US Army. He served proudly and honorably as a Private First Class during the Korean War period. He enlisted in 1954, received the Army Good Conduct Medal and the National Defense Medal, and was honorably discharged on May 9, 1956. Upon his return from military service, he resumed his studies at Salem State College and graduated with honors in 1958. He completed his Master of Education degree in 1963. He began his teaching career in the Boston Public Schools in 1958 at the Patrick T. Campbell Junior High School. He served as President of the Chi Rho Club, a Catholic club for young adults at St. James Parish in Arlington where he met his wife, the beautiful Gael Harrington, daughter of Frederick and Margaret McGurl Harrington, also of Arlington. Tom and Gael were married in 1961 and moved to Newburyport where they raised their children. Tom’s career as an educator and administrator spanned 34 years in the Newburyport Public School System. He taught History and Geography at the Jackman and Brown Schools, was Principal of the Kelley School, Assistant Principal of Newburyport High school, and Director of Pupil Personnel Services. Tom was a talented History teacher and a dedicated advocate for children with special needs. In recognition of his teaching, he was awarded the Certificate of Americanism presented by the American Legion in 1965. He was honored with the dedication of the En- Aitch- Ess yearbook in 1968. To this day, many of his former students speak very fondly of him and the positive impact he had on their lives. Tom’s commitment to education extended beyond the classroom. He often sent reading materials to colleagues, friends and family. Tom had a true passion for Irish History. He and Gael traveled to Ireland in 1973. It was during this trip they visited his father’s homestead for the first time and met his Irish cousins, forming relationships which flourished into cherished life-long friendships. During his travels to Ireland, his Irish relatives, acquaintances, and even the best Irish tour guides were amazed by the depth and breadth of his knowledge of Irish History. In 1976, he established the Newburyport Gaelic Society with the mission of educating people about Ireland’s contributions to American independence from British tyranny. The organization sponsored an Irish concert featuring The McTeggarts as part of the Yankee Homecoming Bicentennial festivities in Newburyport. Tom was an avid reader. Even in retirement, he often said, “there are not enough hours in the day to read all that I want to read.” He was also passionate about politics and sports, especially Notre Dame football. He was a longtime parishioner of the Immaculate Conception Church in Newburyport. He was a longtime Honorary Council Member, Knights of Columbus, Council 231 and longtime member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians Division 1 Newburyport. He built the foundation for his family on Catholic Christian values. He generously supported his children and grandchildren in quiet, unassuming ways. He strongly believed in the sanctity of human life and dedicated much time and energy to advocating for this cause. He had strong convictions and courageously voiced his beliefs even when they were not popular. While living in Newburyport, Tom regularly enjoyed spending time at the Newburyport Public Library, eating at his favorite local restaurants, walking and reading on the boardwalk where he shared conversations with the many people he met along his way. His friendly, outgoing personality was a constant throughout his life. In recent years as he required more care, he was extremely grateful for every act of kindness and compassion extended to him by caregivers at New Horizons at Choate and Tidd Home in Woburn, The Fitch Home in Melrose, and Bear Hill Healthcare in Stoneham where he was a beloved resident. Tom will be remembered most for his passion for Irish History and reading, patriotism, family, faith, and for being content with the simple things in life. Relatives and friends are invited to a Visitation at the Keefe Funeral Home, 5 Chestnut St. (Rt. 60, adjacent to St. Agnes Church), ARLINGTON, on Friday, from 3-6PM. All attendees are required to wear face coverings, practice social distancing, and pay their respects and exit the Funeral Home promptly to allow other guests to enter. A limited number of guests will be allowed in the building at one time. His Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Agnes Church, 30 Medford Street, Arlington, on Saturday at 9:30AM. Burial and Military Honors will follow in Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Arlington. In lieu of flowers, donations in Tom's memory may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, www.stjude.org/donate, and/or Special Olympics, https://give.specialolympics.org. For a complete obituary, directions or to leave an online message of condolence, please visit www.keefefuneralhome.com