Oneonta - Robert "Bob" Mahoney, 75, passed away on March 9, 2026 after battling multiple health issues.

Bob was born on Tuesday, January 9, 1951 in Daytona Beach, Florida to Margaret Inez (Miller) and Robert Joseph Mahoney.

The family moved from Daytona Beach to Sherrill, New York finally settling in Jacksonville, Florida.

After attending Englewood High School, Bob served in the United States Army with two tours of duty fighting in Vietnam. Bob's exposure to Agent Orange led to his battle with PTSD and bladder cancer.

Bob went to cosmetology school in Albany on the G.I. Bill. He worked in many salons in New York and Florida with a focus on good cutting and color work.

Bob met Linda Thomas in 1976 when he was her hairdresser and they have been together ever since.  A true love story.

They moved to Oneonta, NY and Bob and Linda took jobs as instructors at Oneonta Job Corps Center. They both moved up to leadership positions. Bob finished his Job Corps career in Chicopee, MA as the Administrator.

Bob then took a job at the Otsego County Code Enforcement Inspectors, where he worked until he retired in 2017.

Bob was an amazing and hands-on partner and father. Bob enjoyed working with kids whether it be through his work at Job Corps or Boy Scouts, or with his son and his friends. They went camping and fishing and on many happy family vacations.

Bob and Linda opened their home to kids who had difficult home lives. Most needed a meal, an ear and a bed.  Many stayed on and off throughout their high school lives.

The Thomas and Mahoney family home was the place for kids to "hang out".  In high school, it was where the band practiced.

Vietnam veterans were important to Bob. He was a founding member along with Don Tiderencel, of the Vietnam Veterans Organization in Oneonta. He was instrumental in having the traveling Vietnam Wall come to Oneonta.

He is survived by the love of his life, Linda "Cher" Thomas; his sister, Noreen Penson, and brother-in-law, Zachary Penson; his niece, Heather Penson-Holley; grand nieces, Cierra, Gabrielle, and Hailey.  He has survived by two daughters, Jennifer and Bobbi Jo and several grandchildren from a previous marriage.

Bob was predeceased by his sons, Devin and Sean; his parents; his brother, Dan, and his nephew, Zachariah.

Calling hours will be 6 to 8 PM on Friday, April 10 at the Lewis, Hurley & Pietrobono Funeral Home, 51 Dietz St., Oneonta. A time for remembrance will be at 7:30 PM

The funeral mass will be 11 AM on Saturday, April 11 at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 39 Walnut St., Oneonta with the Fr. Christopher Welch as celebrant.

Following Mass the family will be hosting a celebration of Bob's life at the Elks Club, Chestnut St., Oneonta from 12 PM to 2 PM.

For online condolences or to light a memorial candle, visit www.lhpfuneralhome.com

Donations in loving memory of Bob may be sent to the Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516 or to Susquehanna SPCA, 5082-5088 NY 28, Cooperstown, NY 13326.