John Patrick Mahony III, age 74, beloved partner, brother, uncle, friend and teacher, died on Friday, July 3, 2026, at his home after a long illness. John was born on November 13, 1951, in Jersey City, NJ and was the son of the late John and Virginia (Mack) Mahony.

At a young age, John played sports in Little League Baseball along with stickball and football with friends in the street. In addition to playing sports in elementary school, he held lead singing roles in school plays. Growing up, he enjoyed annual vacations at a family farm outside Kingston, NY. After graduating from River Dell High School where John was co-captain of the tennis team and captain of the Color Guard, he completed his bachelor’s degree at Lehigh University and worked for many years in corporate sales and marketing.

John’s true passion was everything involved with aviation, and most essentially, flying. After earning his Private Pilot Certificate in power planes and gliders, he earned additional FAA certificates and ratings including Certified Flight Instructor, Commercial, Multi-Engine, and Airline Transport Pilot. He also became a licensed Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) Aviation Mechanic. He later went on to share his expertise with many private flying students and especially the keen students of Questar III BOCES, in Hudson and Troy, New York, where he taught flying to juniors and seniors in the aviation program he created. He later developed and taught an A&P Aviation Mechanic course at Questar that had career paths to Hudson Valley and Green County Community Colleges. John was very proud of the many students he taught at Questar over his 20-year teaching career.

John professionally flew glider aerobatics for twelve years throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Encompassed within John’s lifelong vocational airmanship was the notable opportunity to fly as a member of the U.S.A. Team at the 1993 World Glider Aerobatic Championship in Venlo, Holland. He later became a flight instructor for Richmor Aviation, and President of the Adirondack Soaring Association. John very much enjoyed the camaraderie and spirit of his fellow pilots at Adirondack Soaring. In addition to his love of aviation, he was an avid skier and snowboarder and a PSIA-certified instructor in both at Sugarbush, Vermont, and Maple Ski Ridge, New York.

John is survived by his longtime partner, Maureen McKenna, his dear sister Virginia Smith, her children Fiona Smith Prout (Ben Prout) and Wyatt (Cara Weinstein Smith), brothers Alan (Dianne) Mahony,, their children Julia (William Dingee) and Elizabeth, Michael (Mary) Mahony,, their children Anna and Emma, his beloved Aunt Lois, several cherished cousins, grandnieces and grandnephew. He was predeceased by his brother Kevin.

John will be remembered by his indomitable spirit, his courage, his sense of adventure, his warmth, and sense of humor.

Relatives and friends are welcome and may call on Tuesday, July 14, 4 to 7 PM, at Townley & Wheeler Funeral Home, 21 Midline Road, Ballston Lake, NY.

A Funeral Service to honor John will conclude the evening at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution made in John’s name to the Adirondack Soaring Association, Junior Kids Learning to Fly Program, 1017 Barrett Road, Ballston Spa NY 12020 (adirondacksoaring.com), or the Saratoga County Animal Shelter, 6010 County Farm Rd., Ballston Spa, NY (saratogacountyanimalshelter.com), in recognition of his lifelong love of cats.

John's family has asked a memorial fund be created by the Adirondack Soaring Club, to honor his deication to the organization and the aviation community.