Rowland B. "Rolly" Mahany, age 92, of Fredonia died Monday, January 8, 2018 at Brooks Memorial Hospital.
Rolly was born in Dunkirk on January 30, 1925, son of Arthur R. and Marie (Neel) Mahany. His mother died at a young age; he was raised by his stepmother, Mattie (Hyland) Mahany.
He was a proud graduate of Dunkirk High School's Class of 1942. Rolly then enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving aboard the USS Chanticleer, a submarine recovery ship, patrolling the South Pacific in WWII. Discharged in 1945, he returned to Dunkirk to marry the love of his life, Marilyn Erickson, at Kraiger's Tea Room. They enjoyed a marriage of 65 years. She preceded him in death in 2015.
His memberships over the years have been American Legion Post 62, Dunkirk Lions Club, Board of Directors and President of the Local Chapter of AAA of WNY, the Post 62 Bugle Core, First Presbyterian Church of Dunkirk, and a 50-year member of Shorewood Country Club, where he started as a caddy in high school. The Wednesday "Boys Night Out" group will have an empty chair.
Rolly enjoyed life. He played golf into his mid 80s, caned chairs to keep busy, enjoyed singing and merry making, and playing the bugle at many social occasions. He was an Eagle Scout, every day of his life. He was extremely proud of his grandchildren and their many accomplishments, not missing many of their sporting or other school events. Rolly was a friend to all and will be missed by everyone.
Employed at Red Wing Company for more than 30 years, Rolly served as a manager and corporate secretary. As office manager, he was a pioneer in the operation of data processing machines, designing state of the art business information systems in the early 1960s. IBM was always interested in his next project.
Rolly is survived by his children, Barbara Ostlund and Douglas (Carol) Mahany; grandchildren, Sean Mahany (Molly Lawenda), Carly (Ted) Metcalfe and Patrick Mahany; sister Mary Gaffney of Mobile, AL; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his wife Marilyn, he was preceded in death by his brother, James; and sister, Catherine.
A memorial service will be held at Shorewood Country Club, 4958 West Lake Road, Dunkirk on Saturday, January 13 at 1 p.m., where Military Honors will be accorded by the Dunkirk Joint Veterans Council. A reception will commence immediately following the memorial service and continue until 4 p.m.
Donations in Rolly's memory may be made to Chautauqua Blind Association, www.chautauquablind.org.
Online condolences may be made at www.larsontimkofuneralhome.com. Arrangements by David J. Dengler, Larson-Timko Funeral Home.
