Alfred David Mahany, Jr.

Alfred David Mahany, Jr. 1/14/1926 - 11/21/2021 ""Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, Wow! What a Ride!"". Hunter S. Thompson couldn't have said it better. Alfred (Al) Mahany, 95, of North Port, FL, formerly of West Islip, NY, enjoyed every minute of life and passed away, when he was ready, on November 21, 2021. Al was born in Brooklyn, NY in 1926 to Alfred and Mazie Mahany, immigrants from the Middle East. He was married to Catherine (Katie) Mahany in 1956. She preceded him in death. His survivors include his daughter, Marie Ashway and her husband Ed of Venice, FL, his son Bill Mahany and his wife Denise of West Islip, NY; 4 grandchildren, Cristina, Edward, David, and Alexandra; and 2 great-grandchildren, Carter and Hazel. Al's eldest son, Alfred C. Mahany, formally of Bay Shore, NY, preceded him in death. Al proudly served in the US Navy from 1944-1946 as a Machinist's Mate. His journey with the Navy included life aboard ship in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Post-Navy, Al started his own business, Sal-Ma Instrument Corp. of Deer Park, NY, where he was President and operator until 2017, when he retired at the young age of 91 and moved to Florida. Sal-Ma, aka ""the shop"" was one of Al's greatest passions. He crafted many custom precision parts for both the private sector and government agencies, including components for the Hubble Space Telescope. Al was an avid fisherman and boater. He spent many happy hours chasing fish on the Great South Bay, Long Island, and the ocean waters in and near the Fire Island Inlet. He was a great teacher, sharing his fishing, boating, and mechanical skills (boats do break) with his children and grandchildren. Al also enjoyed bowling, a sport he shared with his son Bill. A generous and loving man, Al had a full life and will be missed by the many people whose lives he touched. Memorial donations in Al's name may be made to The Tidewell Foundation, 5955 Rand Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34238, or contact Tidewell at tidewellfoundation.org, 855-Tidewell.