Deacon Richard J. Mahaney, a permanent deacon, did Jan. 8, 2017. He was 91 years old.

He was born Aug. 29, 1925, in Buffalo, and graduated from the Diocesan Preparatory Seminary in Buffalo. He served in the army during the occupation of Germany after World War II and was a recipient of a World War II Victory Medal and the Army of Occupation Medal for his service to his country.

Deacon Mahaney planned to become a priest until he met and married Mary Farrell. In 1978, he was ordained as a member of the first class of permanent deacons in the Diocese of Buffalo.

He received a bachelor's degree from Niagara University and a master's degree in social work from the State University of New York at Buffalo. Deacon Mahaney worked as a state-employed social worker for much of his life, and retired from the New York State Department of Mental Hygiene.

Deacon Mahaney survived his wife of 65 years, who died in 2014.

He is survived by sons Joseph (late Kathy), Michael (Lee), Patrick (Jane) and Richard (Karen) Mahaney; 13 grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren. He was also the brother of Charles, Eugene (Nancy), and Jeffrey (Elaine) Mahaney, and the late Doris Atkinson, Cyrene Friert, Carol Robinson and William Mahaney.

A funeral Mass was held at St. John the Baptist Church in Alden.