Deacon John “Jack” McMahon, 89, died Dec. 21. He was ordained in 1983 and served at St. Ignatius Parish and St. Bede Parish, Ingleside.

As a boy, he was an altar server at St. Angela Parish, and he entered the Passionist Monastery in Kansas before discerning that he was called to marriage. He sometimes worked three jobs to support his family, including stints as a bridge tender on the Chicago River and as an electrician in the water department for the City of Chicago.

He also served in the U.S. Army during the occupation of Rome in 1946-1947, and then served many roles for the VFW posts in West Chicago, Skokie and Fox Lake.

He was involved in his parishes, serving as president of the Society of St. Vincent DePaul, on the Pastoral Council and as an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion at St. Ignatius.

After retiring, he entered the diaconate and spent time visiting the sick and elderly, delivering Meals on Wheels, preaching and officiating at baptisms and weddings.

He is survived by his wife, Margaret, children Maureen McMahon, Mary Kocourek, Rosemary Rosen, Meg Christensen, Eileen McMahon, Daniel McMahon, Jacqueline Floan, John McMahon and Paul McMahon; 16 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren; as well as his brother, Larry McMahon.