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Frederick McMahon Obituary

Frederick William McMahon CHARLESTON - Fred McMahon, 84, passed away the morning of Saturday, August 3, 2024, after a brief battle with ALS. His Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11:30 AM, Tuesday, August 13, 2024, at Nativity Catholic Church, 1061 Folly Road, Charleston. The Rite of Committal will follow at St. Lawrence Cemetery. The family will receive friends between 5:00 and 7:00 PM, Monday evening at the James A. McAlister Funeral Home, 1620 Savannah Hwy. Freddy was born in Charleston on September 15, 1939, and grew up on Grove Street, the first-born son of Gerald Frederick McMahon and Genevieve Kanapaux McMahon (both coaches at Bishop England). He was named after Dr. Frederick William Becker, who became his father's guardian when he was orphaned at age 13 in 1925. He spent his youth playing sports on Hampton Park Playground (now McMahon Playground), where his mother was, for many years, the playground supervisor. As a youth, he excelled in baseball and basketball, particularly as a left-handed pitcher and first baseman. At Bishop England, he was the co-captain of the basketball team and was crowned "Mr. Bishop England" in 1957. Freddy graduated from Clemson in 1961 with a degree in Electrical Engineering and went on to serve in the Army as a Lieutenant at Ft. Bliss, Texas and then in Germany as part of the NATO forces. After returning to Charleston, he was employed as an engineer at the Charleston Naval Yard. After a few years he, along with boyhood buddy, Sandy Goldberg, decided to check out the bright lights of the fast-growing city of Atlanta. He worked for the Federal Power Commission, then Xerox and finally the Honeywell Corporation. Twenty or so years later, he returned to his beloved Charleston and was employed at NAVELEX, later SPAWAR, until his retirement. Among his accomplishments, he was a Past Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus where he had the idea for and instituted the First Annual Turkey Day Run in 1978. He was a past president of the South Carolina Irish Historical Society, and was an Honorary Life Member of the Hibernian Society. Freddy stayed active in sports, playing softball with various teams, and beceme very active in the local tennis leagues. He won several City Tennis Championships in doubles in his age group. He took up golf late in life and was known good-naturedly as "Nine Hole Freddy" at the Muni, where he played weekly with his life-long friends, Carl Forsberg, Denny Patrick, Kenny Walters and Cream Jenkins. He is survived by his brother, Gerald F. McMahon, Jr., his nieces, Deanne Lucas (Charlie), Maire McMahon Davitt (Lou) and Sarah Bridges Hales (Kevin), a nephew, Gerald Lawrence Lucas (Amy), grandnieces, Mary Ellen Doscher and Margaret Lucas, grandnephews, William Doscher, Basil Lucas, Bailey Lucas and George Hales, and a great-grandniece, Giselle Dos Santos. He was predeceased by his parents and his sister, Judy McMahon McDowell, a sister-in-law, Judge Judy Lentine McMahon and brother-in-law, Robert H. McDowell. Please consider a contribution in Freddy's name to the Bishop England Triple B Club at 295 Seven Farms Drive, Suite C-172, Charleston, SC 29492, the sole funding source for all Bishop England High School athletics; a club started in the 1940's by his father. Arrangements by James A. McAlister, Inc. (843) 766-1365.

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Published by Charleston Post & Courier from Aug. 10 to Aug. 11, 2024.

Memories and Condolences
for Frederick McMahon

Sponsored by James A. McAlister Funerals & Cremation.

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Thad Cosby

August 29, 2024

Sending sincere condolences to the McMahon Family.

So enjoyed Freddie and getting to know him during my memorable years in Charleston, 2003-2021.

Fred and I met on the Maybank Tennis courts, and enjoyed and engaged in many years of afternoon matches, and practice sessions. We always had a good time on the tennis court!

Fred was a southern gentlemen, very intelligent , possessed a wry humor , unassuming, heck of a good athlete, and undoubtedly will be missed by so many!

Here´s to you Fred, thanks for your friendship and great memories. My sincere condolences to you Jerry in the loss of your fine brother.

Alycia A. Craft

August 24, 2024

My Deepest Sympathies to The McMahon Family! I have Fond Memories of our time together - Terrific
Guy, always had a positive outlook on life & a Beautiful Smile! Rest In Peace!
Alycia Araneo Craft

John and Kaye Nance

August 12, 2024

Jerry
Our sincere condolences to your family. Freddy was a great guy with a great spirit.

Raymond & Maria

August 12, 2024

Jerry, we are so sorry to hear of Freddy´s death. He was always the gentleman with a smile. These last years have been more than difficult. Sending our prayers for comfort.
Raymond & Maria Campbell

Billy Schachte

August 11, 2024

Freddy will be dearly missed. We were neighbors who grew up together on Grove St. Once I even started a club "The Grove Street Tigers" me Freddy sister Judy were charter members. Actually we never did anything, but we had a name, just in case. I followed Freddy pitching and playing first base on Hampton Park teams. After graduating Clemson in '63 and then Navy OCS we lost contact with each other but somehow bumped into each other at memorable times. A favorite was seeing Freddy after Christmas Mass at Sacred Heart the day after I returned home from my year in Vietnam.
As all who had the pleasure, if not honor. Of knowing Freddy we were blessed and he will be missed. Billy Schachte 152 Grove St

William L Schachte Jr

Helen Pye

August 10, 2024

Judy, Jerry and Family my thoughts and prayers are with you, Freddy a wonderful man is in Heaven, your Angel, he will always be with you. Love, Helen Pye

Colonel Don Patton

August 10, 2024

Fred & I served together in the 357th Arty Detachment in 1962-63 at Ft Bliss and in Germany. We camped out at Oktoberfest in 1962; drank beer and liberated a few steins.
We maintained irregular contact since then and called last week to hear about his death. We met during a visit to Charleston, one of my favorite places. My remaining contact from the 357th is Richard Love in Texas, who I visited last year. We had an unusual assignment and many unique experiences !!!

Greg and Dianne Davitt

August 10, 2024

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow. RIP Fred you were a kind and humble man.

Michael Duffy

August 10, 2024

Anyone of my generation who played on Hampton Park, or attended Bishop England High School, felt that Freddy, Judy and Jerry were extended family. Fortunately, for Kathy and I, those relationships only grew stronger through the years.
All the guys admired Freddy as a great athlete and competitor, all the girls like him because he was so good looking. He was a kind and gentle man and will be missed by all. Mike Duffy

Sandy Goldberg

August 9, 2024

Freddy was a very dear friend for the better part of my 85 years. Norma & I will miss him. His last words to me recently were to “always remember him.” How could I not? He was a teammate, roommate, competitor, sounding board, & guy that I knew always had my back. Rest in peace, my friend, I will always remember you & the Fred stories, my dear friend. Norma & I send our heartfelt condolences to his wonderful family.
Sandy Goldberg

Winifred Dworschak

August 9, 2024

Jerry
I am so sorry for your loss. Many fun times with Freddie !
May he rest in peace and you hold on to your amazing memories.

Winifred White Dworschak

Mick McCrary

August 9, 2024

I'm so sorry to hear about Freddy's passing. I will always remember the warmth and kindness he brought to our family gatherings, especially the oyster roasts at my parents' house on James Island in recent years. Freddy's smile and positive words were a constant, and he will be deeply missed. Jerry, my thoughts are with you during this difficult time.

Thomas Lavelle

August 8, 2024

Jerry, I am so sorry for your loss of Freddy. He will be missed. Sending my prayers.

Bob Mullen

August 8, 2024

Freddy was a very dear friend. I will miss seeing him. I count myself very lucky to have him as a friend. My condolences, Jerry. May he Rest In Peace.

Nancy Wall Farrington

August 8, 2024

Jerry, May Freddy rest in peace. I recall him as one of the best-looking "boys" in town. It appears he was also one of the nicest. I pray for you both. Deep breaths and stay strong. Love you.

Eleanor Rowland Tolley

August 7, 2024

Rest in peace dear cousin, Freddy.

Marty Fosberry

August 7, 2024

Jerry, so sorry to hear of Freddie’s passing. Through Mom & Dad, grandparents, aunts & uncles, and everybody.I have known y’all since birth. Slainte to Freddiea life well-lived.

Allan Holmes

August 7, 2024

My condolences to Jerry and family. Fred was a super human being who will be missed by many. Am remembering all those happy days on the Maybank tennis courts.

Jay Keenan

August 7, 2024

Jerry, so sorry for your loss. Freddie was one of the `good guys´, always enjoyed seeing ya´ll together at the Hibernian. Your entire family were all good people and I am blessed to have know them all. Jay

Haskell Toporek

August 7, 2024

My memories of Freddie go way back to our youth on Grove Street and then competing against each other in High School. What a great guy. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this sad time. Rest in peace, my friend.
Haskell Toporek

Azalia LaTorre

August 7, 2024

My condolences to the family of Freddie. Thoughts and prayers for him and the family.

BEVERLY RASCHKE

August 7, 2024

My condolences to Jerry McMahon and family. I will always remember Fred as a very kind, soft spoken person and an excellent athlete.
May he rest in peace.

Kay Hanna (Mrs Ron Hanna, Jr)

August 6, 2024

Sorry to hear about Freddy. I know he will be missed.

Danny J

August 6, 2024

Dear Freddie Mac
Always had a nice friendly smile for any and all at the end of the KC bar and thanks to Freddie he left us the KC Freddie Mac Turkey day run
And a steady Laker
Cheers Freddie

Raymond Lloyd

August 6, 2024

Freddie, was a good friend, it was always good to see him at the Knights. May God's perpetual light shine upon him, RIP

Helene Araneo Ackerman

August 6, 2024

So many wonderful memories.

Michael Molony

August 6, 2024

Freddie was a truly unique, Charlestonian~ a great athlete with an infectious smile, a gentle demeanor: blessed have known him, but even more blessed to consider him a friend. He will be greatly missed.

Bill Utsey

August 6, 2024

Was riding my bicycle 2 years ago on James Island...came upon a man working in his yard. Even though his back was to me and I had not seen him in decades, I knew it was Freddie. Stopped and had a nice chat...so glad I did. Charleston has lost one of its gems in Freddie. May you rest now in peace

Marvin and Jeannie Grooms

August 4, 2024

To Jerry and extended family: please accept our sincere condolences on the loss of such a great guy! Fred was very special to our entire family and his loss will be felt by all who knew him. Please refer to my PM.

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5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

James A. McAlister Funerals & Cremation

1620 Savannah Highway, Charleston, SC 29407

Aug

13

Mass of Christian Burial

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Nativity Catholic Church

1061 Folly Road, Charleston, SC

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1620 Savannah Highway, Charleston, SC 29407

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