Francis J. Mahar Jr., of 928 Prospect Ave., Olean, NY, President of Service Stores Park & Shop

Francis J. Mahar Jr., of 928 Prospect Ave., Olean, NY, passed away Thursday (March 5, 2015) at his home, after a long illness. 

Born Aug. 8, 1936, in Olean, he was the son of the late Francis J. and Margaret McLaughlin Mahar Sr. On Nov. 24, 1962, in St. John's Church he married Roberta A. Mountain, who survives.

Fran was a graduate of Olean High School, Class of 1954, and St. Bonaventure University. He was president of Service Stores Park and Shop for over 65 years.

He was a member and past Trustee of St. John's Church and was a past Eucharistic Minister, was a longtime member of the St. Vincent DePaul Society, member of the Board of Directors at Community Bank and the ReHabilitation Center. Fran was a past member of Board of Directors at Olean Wholesale Co-op, and member and past officer in the Olean Kiwanis Club. He was a recipient of the Louie Award and was noted for his generosity and kindness over the years. Fran was very fond of his loving dog, Maggie.

In addition to his wife of 52 years, he is survived by his brothers and sisters, James Mahar of Olean, John (Lorie) Mahar of Dover, Del., Paul (Judy) Mahar of Olean, Ellen (William) Weidmer of Allegany, Mary (Richard) Montgomery of Penfield, Thomas (Kathy) Mahar of Olean and Joseph (Roberta) Mahar of Olean; many nieces and nephews; grandnieces and grandnephews; and a brother-in-law, Paul (Laura) Mountain of Ontario, Canada.

He was predeceased by his parents; a brother, Daniel Mahar; a nephew, John Joseph Mahar; a sister-in-law, Margaret Mahar; and aunts, Sister Mary McLaughlin and Theresa Turner.

Family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the Guenther Funeral Home Inc., 1303 E. State St., Olean. A private funeral Mass will be held Monday (March 9, 2015) beginning with a private prayer service in funeral home at 10 a.m. followed by a concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. in St. John's Church. The principal celebrant will be the Rev. Edward Sheedy, pastor. Burial will be in the St. Bonaventure Cemetery, Allegany.


Flowers are gratefully declined. Memorial donations may be made to Cattaraugus County Chapter SPCA, P.O. Box 375 Olean, NY, 14760; Olean Food Pantry; or Roswell Park Alliance Foundation, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 631 Buffalo, NY, 14240-0631.