George Fisher Mahoney

George Fisher Mahoney, aged 90, of Rockford, IL passed away peacefully at Presence St. Anne's Rehabilitation Center on December 10, 2013. He was a former resident of Arlington Heights and Rolling Meadows, IL; and Coral Springs and Stuart, FL.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Michael F. and Edith Ann (nee Fisher) Mahoney, eight older siblings, beloved wife Ada Evelyn Hemler, and their son Kevin Michael Mahoney. Father to Mary (Tom Hoyer) and Maureen (William Cook) and grandfather of William Michael (Melanie) Cook, Kathryn Hoyer (Matthew) Callahan, Jennifer Hoyer (Alan) Minarik, Molly Cook (James Bennett), Megan Cook (Josh) Salser, Elizabeth Cook (Matt) Koziol and great-grandfather of William Patrick Cook, Amber Bennett, and Kevin Salser.
Born June 15, 1923 in Toledo, Ohio, he was a Corporal in the United States Army Air Corps during WWII. As a cinematographer at Wright Field in Dayton, OH, he documented captured enemy aircraft and laid the groundwork for today's National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. After the war, he was Advertising Production Manager at Western Advertising Agency in Chicago while attending night classes at Northwestern University.
During a distinguished career in advertising and public relations management at Motorola, he oversaw consumer and automotive sound products and spearheaded their corporate sponsorships. He worked with many notable celebrity spokespersons and organized national sales conventions, tradeshows, and meetings. He considered Motorola his second family and even dressed up as Santa Claus to deliver presents to his colleagues' children at the company Christmas party – arriving by hot air balloon, no less.
As a founding citizen of Rolling Meadows in the 1950s, he helped to establish its Little League program, managed the campaign of its first elected mayor, and was the first President of the Holy Name Society at newly formed St. Colette Parish, raising funds for its first church building.
He will be remembered for his sense of humor, strong faith, positive attitude, and devotion to his family. Among many talents, he entertained others with his beautiful tenor voice at St. Viator High School's Choral Group, Lutheran General Hospital patient entertainment events, and the Mariners Barbershop Chorus. He led weekend Mass music for fellow residents at Siena in Rockford. Ever the entertainer, he had recently serenaded the nurses and staff at OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center before they operated on him.
He told humorous stories in the Irish tradition, and continued the genealogy work of his late sister Mary Christine Mahoney. He recorded many interviews with daughter Mary and helped in creating a family history movie. His first priority was always family and enjoying gatherings, even if it meant dancing with a walker at his granddaughters' weddings. He will be missed but always remembered and carried in the hearts of his family, friends, and the many lives he touched along the way.
Visitation Friday, December 13 from 5-7 pm followed by the Rosary at Fitzgerald Funeral Home, Mulford Chapel on 1860 S. Mulford Rd., Rockford.
Visitation Saturday, December 14 at 9:30 am followed by Funeral Mass at Holy Family Catholic Church, 4401 Highcrest Rd., Rockford. Burial at Calvary Cemetery, Rockford.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to a charity of your choice.