Yes, Dean, you are forever missed. I think of you VERY often, especially with the state of our politics today, in these days that try men’s souls. I think about t he many (on-line) political discussions you and I used to have. Rest In Peace and pray for the rest of us that still endure today’s craziness.

Obituary condolences from Boston Globe Obituaries (http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/bostonglobe/obituary.aspx?n=dean-michael-mahon&pid=182069590&fhid=5914):

November 2, 2016
My condolences. Dean was a good friend to me in college.
Martin White HC '73

November 1, 2016
Lisa, so sorry to hear of your brother's passing. He had quite an amazing life and did lots of good for others. May his memory be a blessing! Thinking of you and your family at this difficult time and wishing you happier times ahead.
xoxo,
Pam
pam raiff, westfield, NJ

November 1, 2016
I am so sorry to hear of Dean's passing... we had many good times at Holy Cross...He gave to so many people during his life fulfilling the Jesuit Tradition that we were taught... Truly a good guy... at perpetual light shine upon him.
Dave Paruti HC 73, Yarmouth Port, MA

October 27, 2016
I have so many wonderful memories of Dean. He and Hilda met in my living room! That was fate. I spent countless evenings in lively discussion with Dean and our great friend from Ireland, Gus Murray. Especially memorable was a night at Lukas Lodge in Lake Delton. I recall when my children were small that Dean took us Christmas tree shopping and put the tree up for us. He was always so kind to my children. Dean made major contributions toward accomplishing the mission of the World Council of Credit Unions. He was a champion and spokesperson for the poor. I was blessed to know him. My thoughts are you with you, Hilda and Elizabeth. May Dean rest in peace in the Lord. Cindy (and Hank) Lukas
Cindy Lukas, Milton, WI

October 27, 2016
To my dear friend Hilda and Elizabeth,
We send you our deepest sympathy at this very sad time.
We have wonderful memories of the happy times we spent with both of you in Boston, Liverpool and Orlando which we will always treasure.
Dean was a very kind and generous man and one of life's gentlemen and it will always be a great honour for us to say that he was our friend.
Our thoughts and prayers will be with you today and tomorrow .
Our family send you both all our love.
Liz, Alex, Simon, Andrew and Hannah
Liverpool , England

October 27, 2016
I am saddened to hear of the death of a classmate from that great HC '73 year class.While I only now appreciate the amazing contributions Dean made to our world, knowing him at HC so many years ago....well I will just say I am not surprised. Funny how our life is:I have been a Milton resident for some 30 years now and did not know my classmate was just down the block. My sincere condolences and best wishes. Richard P. Cambria MD..HC'73
richard cambria, Milton, MA

October 26, 2016
So sorry to hear about Dean. We had lunch in 2005 in Washington, D.C. while I was working with the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants and he was in town cultivating yet more of his contacts with the international donor community. We had the HC connection, but also had Peace Corps in our past, he in Cameroon and I in Guatemala. He was concerned about his world and his country. My heartfelt condolences to his wife and daughter and extended family. Peter F. Kranstover, HC '73
Cedarburg, Wisconsin.

October 26, 2016
My deepest condolences.
Roberto C Rodriguez- Poventud
San Juan, Puerto Rico
HC '73

October 26, 2016
Sheila and I send our condolences to Hilda, Elizabeth, and the Mahon family. We truly enjoyed the time we got to spend with Dean, be it at a backyard cookout, a concert or a school function. He had some great stories to tell that reflected his passion to learn about new ideas and people around the world - as well as his desire to help them and the institutions they created. Just as apparent was his love for and dedication to his family. We hope that the strength and love of your family and friends, the best memories, and your faith bring some measure of comfort during this painful time.
Ed and Sheila Hayward, Milton, MA

October 25, 2016
Dean and I served in the Peace Corps together in the 1970's and were posted to the same town in Cameroon (Ebolowa). Through the years of friendship I have appreciated his compassion, humor, and commitment to leaving the world a better place. He was truly an incredible citizen of the earth and his spirit will live in the hearts of all who knew him. Heartfelt condolences to Hilda, Liz, and all of his family.
"Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there. I did not die." ~ Anonymous
Mary Younger, Missoula, MT

October 24, 2016
Elizabeth and family,
My heartfelt sympathy to you and your family.May God give you the comfort you need at this time .I am so sorry to hear of this news . You are in my thoughts and prayers . Ida Fitzgerald
Ida Fitzgerald, Reading, MA

October 24, 2016
We spent many a good day growing up as boyhood friends on Third St (Brooklyn). Whenever my thoughts turn to that time I am often reminded of that friendship. Your many remarkable achievements as a professional are emblematic of your goodness as a man. Although we hadn't actually seen each other in quite some time the same Dean I came to know as a young boy still resonated through our network correspondence over the past few years. You were never forgotten in life and you shall not be forgotten by your passing. Fare thee well good buddy.......
Jack Cracchiola, Reno, NV

Our Boston Writing group was formed back in 2008 and Dean was one of our first members. He wanted to write a variety of books on his life, on how to travel, and so on. He chose as his first book the true life story of surviving a medically-induced coma for 8 weeks. Often it's thought that people in comas don't realize what is going on. But due to Dean's fantastic memory he was able to remember in detail exact scenes and determine how they matched up against the real-life issues his body was facing. So when doctors plunged him into an ice bath, he knew that was when he had "imagined" swimming under the North Pole. But to him those "dreams" were quite real.

The writing group worked with him intensely on his book, offering feedback and praising his great writing skill. It was a joy to support him and the book, "The Ride," went live in 2012. Readers love it.

Dean had all sorts of books he wanted to tackle next but he kept saying he'd work on them once he had time. His job required a great deal of report-writing and he kept waiting for a pause to be able to tackle his own projects. Tragically, he never got that time. He was busy at work when his hourglass ran out.

It was common when we were having our monthly meetings for him to write and say "Sorry I can't make it, I'm in Myanmar" or Jordan or Ghana or Burkina Faso. He was always somewhere exotic, helping those in need.

We miss him immensely. He was a joy to have at meetings and his insight into other authors' works was wonderfully helpful. He had a dry wit which was delightful. We joked that with how hard he worked he deserved the life of Roman royalty in his off-time and we bought a gold "laurel leaf" headdress for him to wear at our meetings. I have that here on my desk. He absolutely deserved all that life had to offer him. His story will live on in his book.

"Dad," as he so kindly allowed me to call him, is forever in my heart. I can hear his sweet, gentle, half-whisper voice. I can remember how warm and comfortable he made me feel, even at our first meeting during Liz's and my freshman year. He is truly a special person, one who has touched the lives of many people, and one whom will be very, very missed.
In particular, I remember waiting with Dad for Liz during an unexpected trip to the hospital. It was 3am, and we were sitting by side by side, next to a stack of magazines and across from the TV. I don't remember what we chatted about, but I do remember laughing together, and thinking about how loving a father he was. I can see why Liz adores him so much, and I also see his gentleness, generosity, and kindness in her.
Thank you, Dad, for giving the world so many gifts. We love you.

When Dean was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Cameroon in the late 70's, he stood out from the crowd as a sensitive, giving Volunteer, whom we all admired. I was the Peace Corps Medical Officer (PCMO) at the time and got to know and appreciate him very well. Dean and I then lost track of each other for many years but "found each other" on FB about 10 years ago. Since then I have seen and appreciated Dean's FB posts almost daily and I always "liked" them. His posts reflected the love and caring in his heart for all of humanity. I will miss knowing that you are "out there" doing good things and caring about all of us Dean. God bless you and your family. Rest in peace.

Dean and I served in the Peace Corps together in the 1970's and were posted to the same town in Cameroon (Ebolowa). Through the years of friendship I have appreciated his compassion, humor, and commitment to leaving the world a better place. He was truly an incredible citizen of the earth and his spirit will live in the hearts of all who knew him. Heartfelt condolences to Hilda, Liz, and all of his family.

Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning’s hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there. I did not die.

~ Anonymous

There are no words to describe the pain we suffer losing you. But Daddy, we know that you will never truly leave us, and your love and passion have impacted this world so greatly that all of us will never be the same- you have changed us for the better. I don't know what we will do without you, but following in your footsteps gives me hope that one day I can be at least half of the amazing person that you are. I love you always.