Gordon Mahar

Gordon Mahar found something so freeing, so peaceful about the way a sailboat looks as it cuts through a clean, peaceful expanse of water – a true picture of beauty in his eyes. One thing that made Gordon so special was the way he could find beauty and joy in the simple things, even when life was not always easy. He was hard working and responsible at an age when many young boys were riding their bikes or spending time down at the local fishing hole. Although Gordon worked hard both as a business owner and as an employee, to him there was no greater task than making sure his children knew they were unconditionally loved and held in the highest regard. It is his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren who will be his lasting legacy.

The year 1918 was a memorable year in American history as it was the year in which we emerged from WWI as a world leader. It was also the year in which the flu epidemic sickened nearly one quarter of our population. This was a year to remember for the family of Patrick and Grace (Losey) Mahar for a much different reason as they were overjoyed with the birth of their son, Gordon, on November 2nd. Born in Olive Township, Michigan, Gordon was the youngest of three boys in his family. His father worked as a farmer and raised horses while his mother stayed home. Gordon was an active child and often spent summers with his Aunt Emma. As a young boy, he felt that his father was impatient with him and as a result, Gordon never felt that his father liked him very much. Sadly, his father died when Gordon was just nine years old and before any kind of mutual understanding could be reached between father and son.

As was so common for the youth of this generation, Gordon learned to be responsible at an early age. He was always a hard worker and learned to repair what the family had since there was no money to replace what was broken. When he was able to have a little fun, Gordon liked being outdoors and playing with the Eaton boys who lived nearby. He also enjoyed fishing and hunting with his uncles as well as dancing and going to the local Grange Hall dances.

The prosperous decade of the twenties gave way to the trying times of the thirties as the Great Depression held our nation in its unrelenting grip throughout the entire decade and beyond. Life was tough for the Mahar family as the agricultural industry was particularly hit hard. Although they worked hard, they did lose their farm during this difficult period. In addition to carrying out his responsibilities on the farm, Gordon attended a country school in Clinton County and graduated from Rodney B. Wilson High School in St. Johns. He never really enjoyed school much and often found himself bored, but he was the only child in his family to graduate from high school.

Life would never be the same for Gordon after he met the young girl who would forever hold the key to his heart. Her name was Lela Fyan and they met through mutual friends. Lela’s first impression of Gordon was that he was sort of a “geeky guy.” Apparently she was equally smitten with him because they started dating almost immediately. Over the next year-and-a-half, their relationship blossomed into true love and they were married on June 17, 1944.

In addition to becoming a husband, Gordon was blessed to become a father when he and Lela welcomed three children into their hearts and home: Pamela, Arthur, and Kayle. In order to support his family, Gordon opened a small grocery store in Pompeii. He devoted vast amounts of time and energy into his store, and he was so very proud of his store, too. Gordon’s family all helped out at the store at times as well. Gordon owned the store for 25 years before larger stores made it difficult for his store to compete, causing him to close the store in 1977. He then worked for a Min-A-Mart in Lansing until he retired in 1987.

Although tending to his store certainly took much of his time, Gordon’s family also played a vital role in his life. He was a devoted husband and father, always striving to give his children the attention he never received as a child. Gordon and Lela enjoyed going to dances where he could satiate his love for dancing. Their family liked regularly visiting with their extended family, especially with Gordon’s brothers as their children were all of similar ages. Throughout his life, Gordon shared a close relationship with his brothers.

Later in life, Gordon’s journey was filled with both peaks and valleys. After he retired, he enjoyed tinkering – making toys for his grandchildren, working with lawnmowers, and taking on various woodworking projects. Gordon suffered from frequent back issues and underwent a series of back surgeries as the years progressed. When health issues became more extensive, he and Lela moved to the Laurels of Carson City in early 2010.

If life were a mural, Gordon Mahar’s masterpiece would be filled with vibrant hues covering every end of the spectrum. He worked hard as a business owner, but he always made the time to let his children know how very much they were loved. With a passion for sailboats and working with his hands, Gordon took each moment captive, even when the days before him were challenging. He leaves behind lessons in perseverance, dedication, and unconditional love that will live on in the hearts and lives of those who knew and loved him. Gordon will be dearly missed.

Gordon Mahar of St. Johns died Saturday, June 19, 2010. Gordon’s family includes his wife, Lela; his daughter, Pamela (Brian) Sievert of Rainbow Lake; sons, Arthur (Deborah) Mahar of Belding, and Kayle (Kendra) Mahar of Kinross; grandchildren, Matthew and Jeffery Sievert, Aaron (Laurie) Sievert, Kathleen, Rebecca and Christopher Mahar, Erica (Michael) Roberts, Jeffrey and Joshua Mahar; great grandchildren, Dominic, Aevri, Haedyn and Alyssa Sievert, Kaidyn, Sophia and Estella Roberts; brother, Robert Mahar. Gordon was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Thomas Mahar. Funeral Services will be held 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, June 23, 2010 at the Osgood Funeral Home in St. Johns with the Rev. Cayle Beagle officiating. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday and one hour prior to the service on Wednesday at the funeral home. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you can leave a favorite memory or photo or sign the online guestbook.