Northport Icon – James Mahoney, 83 Lifelong Northport resident James (Jim) Mahoney, 83, passed away peacefully surrounded by family. Jim was born in Crab Meadow, Northport to Helen and James Mahoney. He attended St Philip Neri School in Northport and graduated from Power Memorial High School in Manhattan where he was a star of the track team. His running skills brought him a full scholarship to Iona College. Where he graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education. He went on to State University of New York at Oneonta for his Masters Degree. It was at Oneonta where he met Sophie, his bride of 54 years. Mahoney was drafted into the US Army and served as a clerk in Germany and stateside. After completing his military obligation, he returned to Northport where he and Sophie began their family and became integral members of the Northport community. He was a teacher in the Syosset School District at Bayliss Elementary School and a long time educator and administrator in the Middle Country School District where he retired as Principal of New Lane Elementary School. In 1973, Mahoney joined the Northport Volunteer Fire Department. He was assigned to Hook & Ladder Co. 1 and quickly took charge of the department’s “Fire Prevention Education Committee”. Jim developed the department’s, now quite extensive, educational programs aimed at the community’s children in both public and parochial schools as well as the community’s senior members at area Senior Citizen clubs and area adult homes. He served as an Emergency Medical Technician for 40 years, and served 3 terms as Rescue Squad Captain. He served as Chairman of the Fire Prevention Committee from 1973 until his passing. He had taken what was a National Safe Kids program, redefined and structured it to suit the region and lead the “Safe Kids” Program at local schools. Jim’s program had great success and has reduced the number of unintentional injuries to local youngsters. Jim recognized the need to address some of the fears held by children younger than those of school age. He developed the “Meet Your Friend the Firefighter” program. The program is geared for children aged 6 years and younger and is intended to introduce young children to firefighters as they might appear if responding to an actual fire or emergency. Children are also introduced to the inside of an ambulance and are shown the many items within that are intended to assist ill or injured patients. They are given the opportunity to feel, hold and even “try on” some of the items, again, to alleviate any fears during an actual emergency. For many years his program has, and continues to be, a great hit with youngsters and their parents. Jim authored “SAFETY NEWS from the NORTHPORT FIRE DEPARTMENT”, a monthly news column printed in one of the community’s newspapers. The column has been written for more than 10 years and covers a vast amount of personal safety and health safety topics. His articles have offered invaluable advice and safety tips for people of all generations. Professionally, Jim was an educator – retired after more than 30 years an elementary school teacher and Principal of one of the largest elementary schools in New York State, New Lane Elementary in the Middle Country School District. Civically, Jim’s roles were numerous. As a Republican Committeeman, he had been a longtime fixture at the 113th election district’s polling place at Laurel Avenue School. He would also be seen at local school board elections/budget votes and at the local Library Budget votes. Jim had long provided the trusted explanations for all local voters, both new and seasoned, regardless of their registered party or belief. He was a Veteran of the US Army and a Life Member (and two-time Past Commander) of Northport American Legion Post 694. He served on the Congressman’s interview committee for the selection of candidates to the United States’ West Point, Annapolis, Air Force, Coast Guard and Merchant Marine Academies. Jim also served on the interview and selection committee for the American Legion’s Boys State & Girls State programs. He helped organize the Great Cow Harbor 10K Run and several of Northport’s annual parades, including the Memorial Day, Cow Harbor Day and the Pearl Harbor Day Memorial Parades. Jim Mahoney was a longtime member of the Suffolk County Firefighters’ Burn Center Fund, Inc. He had served as a Board Member and is a Past President of the Burn Center. Jim and his late wife Sophie raised more than $150,000.00 for the Burn Center through an Annual Doll & Teddy Bear Show directed by Sophie. He is a Charter Member of the Northport’s St. Baldrick’s Committee. With Jim’s knowledge and assistance for the past 12 years, the Northport St. Baldrick’s Committee has been very successful and has raised more than $ 5.1 million to fund pediatric cancer research. Firematically, Jim Mahoney has worn many caps and assumed many responsibilities. In addition to the afore mentioned, Jim was Chairman of Northport Fire Department’s 100th Anniversary Committee and over saw a multitude of events to commemorate the department’s centennial year. Most notably as the editor of the written history of the department (authored by the late Dr. Mary Wini Warren) and the department’s 100th Anniversary Parade & Celebration. And for the past 8 years, Jim served as Chairman of the 125th Anniversary Committee.   Jim Mahoney amassed an impressive amount of awards and accolades. Including; Shaefer Fireman of the Year – 1977 Rescue Squad Fireman of the Year – 1977, 2003 & 2016 VFW Fireman of the Year – 1977 Northport Fire Department Fireman of the Year – 1991 & 2002 Hook & Ladder Company Fireman of the Year – 1991 FASNY Fire Service Achievement Award – New York State Firefighter of the Year – 2002 Scott Health & Safety Firefighter of the Year – 2002 National Volunteer Fire Council’s Award – United States Firefighter of the Year – 2002 Inducted into New York State’s Veteran’s Hall of Fame - 2005 Suffolk County Firefighters’ Burn Center – “Robert Lyon Award” for Distinguished Service – 2013 Suffolk County Firefighters’ Emerald Society – Harold Lally Lifetime Achievement Award - 2016 There is much more on Jim’s list of activities and accomplishments that are not mentioned here. But one point will not be missed. The following words are an excerpt from a speech, words that are well worth repeating here; In an address to the Senate, New York State Senator John Flanagan stated, “…Jim Mahoney has demonstrated the brilliance of his individual performance, leadership and dedication to his Department, his Village, this State and this Country…” Yes, the Senator’s words are well worth repeating. In 2014, The Board of Fire Commissioners for the Incorporated Village of Northport established a new award, the first of its kind from the Board of Fire Commissioners. At the time, Commissioner Tony Graziano said, “We intend to present this award to any individual that possesses and demonstrates a driven passion to serve his/her fellow man in a way that fosters a sense of peace and safety and nurtures growth of knowledge and community spirit. These are attributes of a famous person in our history, one of our Nation’s forefathers and the Father of our Nation’s Volunteer Fire Service – Benjamin Franklin.” Commissioner Graziano went on to say, “It is fitting that the first recipient of this award so happens to possess all of those attributes. It is also fitting, as we present this award to the first recipient, we shall henceforth dedicate this award in his name the `Captain James Mahoney Volunteer Service Award’.” James Mahoney is predeceased by his wife Sophie, survived by his children Luke Timothy (Peter), Kevin (Debbie), Kathleen Fristensky (Brad) and Maureen Kiefaber (Henry). And by his adoring grandchildren Kelly, Kristen, Jake, Jeremy and David. American Legion services will be held on Thursday evening 7:30 pm and Firematic services will be held Friday evening at 8:00 pm at Nolan & Taylor-Howe Funeral Home, 5 Laurel Avenue Northport, NY. Visiting at the funeral home will be Thursday & Friday 2-5 & 7-9 pm. A funeral Mass will be held Saturday 10:30 am at St Philip Neri R.C. Church in Northport and internment will follow in the parish cemetery. In Jim’s memory donations to the Suffolk County Volunteer Firefighters Burn Center Fund, Inc., PO Box 765, Smithtown, NY 11787, or VNS Hospice of Suffolk, 505 Main Street, Northport, NY 11768, would be appreciated.