John M Mahardy, Jr.

John Michael Mahardy Jr., 67 , of Cleveland, NY, passed away peacefully on Monday.  

John was born on October 30, 1950,  in Oneida, NY, to John Michael Mahardy Sr and Catherine Frances Mahardy.  He shared in their loving example of Faith with six sisters and two brothers while growing up in Cleveland where he was a lifelong resident.  Always mindful that his own Faith was a blessing  which required care and nurturing,  he devoured Scripture and became a regular monastic retreatant, splitting retreats  between The Abbey of the Genesee and St. Joseph’s Abbey, all the while denying any connection  between his many return visits and the renowned “Monk’s Bread” of the former, nor “Spencer Ale” of the latter!  A lifelong parishioner of St. Mary’s of the Assumption (later incorporated into Divine Mercy Parish) he walked the talk through numerous parish ministries:  music, lecturing, grounds keeping, caretaking and caregiving and Lectio Divina.  All of this fed and bled into his numerous  material pursuits making him the rare exception:  a jack of all trades AND a master of them:  musician...guitarist…organic gardener…forester….woodworker….landscaper…and producer of some of the most exquisite maple syrup.  But perhaps the capstone of his well-lived and well-rounded life was as the loving care-giver to Mom and Dad during their own final years here on Earth, bringing John Jr’s own life wonderfully full circle.  John’s presence will be sorely missed by those  whose many lives he touched on “The North Shore”, “The Square”, Lowville, Camden, Tug Hill, Piffard NY, Spencer MA, Oswego/Lewis/Jefferson/Onondaga/Madison/Cayuga Counties, and on and on.

Along with his parents, John was pre-deceased by a sister,  Karen Elizabeth, a brother,  Robert George, and a nephew, Bradley Cone. Surviving are six sisters, Catherine (Mark) Bellinger, Pittsburgh, PA, Christine Mahardy Heins-Hilton, Atlanta GA, Maureen (Richard) Keller, Kalamazoo, MI, Joan (Daniel) Wells, Central Square, NY, Donna Cone, Camillus, NY, and Patricia (Daniel) Reynolds, Brewerton, NY; one brother, Fred (Kathleen) Mahardy, Clay, NY; 28 nieces and nephews; and a like  number of great nephews and nieces.

Calling hours will be Friday, 4:00 to 7:00 p.m, at Watson Funeral Home, Inc., 631 South Main St., Central Square, NY 13036. A Mass of Resurrection will be Saturday, 9:00 a.m., at St. Mary’s Oratory (formerly St. Mary’s of the Assumption), in Cleveland, NY, with burial to follow at St. Mary's Cemetery, Cleveland, NY.

In Lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to either The Abbey of the Genesee or St. Joseph’s Abbey  Preferably both…unless you have a preference for either good bread or good Ale!

 Service Information