This page will be dedicated to the Mahonys and Hickeys from the mid-1800s through the mid-1900s. It will include letters, photos, biographies, accomplishments, and obituaries. There was little reseach done here as most of these items have been in our possession for many years and passed down from generation to generation.
This first entry is a brief family history written by Ray Mahony, Jr. around 1990. Clearly he wanted to share and hopefully preserve this information for his children and future generations.
This entry is not about a blood relative but is someone who had a huge influence on Dennis Mahony’s success in America. He was a friend and mentor to Dennis and gave him the opportunity to advance himself when Irish immigrants were not always welcome.
Family photo of the Mahony family around 1900.
Pictured: Lititia Finn Mahony, Dennis W Mahony
Children (L to R): Eleanor Lititia, Abraham Lincoln, Arthur Sawyer, Raymund Leonard, Sarah (Sadie) Curran
Dennis Wallace Mahony 1861 to 1913
Dennis Mahony Biography
Dennis Mahony wass Postmaster of the Passaic Post Office in the early 1900s through his death in 1913. He is pictured in the front row 3rd from left.
This article appeared in the Passaic daily News on December 1, 1913 just aa few days after Dennis’s death. The article is lengthy and a little challenging to read but it is well wroth the effort.
Here is a related article on Dennis’s wife Lititia who was selected to complete the remained of his term as Postmaster which ended in 1914.
Arthur Sawyer Mahony 1892-1933
Arthur Sawyer Mahony Biography
Art’s 1914 senior picture at Bucknell
This article appeared in the NY Times in the fall of 1912.
In 1920 Eleanor Lititia Mahony, youngest child of Lititia and Dennis, married Paul Lymon Troast. Paul was a close friend with Eleanor’s brother Art. Paul and Art founded Mahony-Troast Construction Company in 1927. Art passed away in 1933 but Paul kept the name Mahony in honor of his wife and his friend.
You can see Paul Troast had a long and successful career.
Below are the key dates of Paul and Eleanor’s marriage and children.
Name: Paul Lyman Troast.
Born: Tuesday, November 19, 1895 in Saddle River Township, NJ, USA.
Deceased: Friday, July 21, 1972 in Clifton, NJ, USA at 76 years of age.
Parents: Jacob Aaron Troast and Catharine (Kitty) Lyman.
Married in 1920 in Yonkers, NY, USA with:
Name: Eleanor Letticia Mahony.
Born: Saturday, August 10, 1895 in NJ, USA.
Deceased: in 1965 at 69 years of age.
Parents: Dennis Wallace Mahony and Lettica Finn.
They had 4 children:
1. Name: Paul Lyman Troast Jr.
Born: 1921.
Married with:
Name: Helen Dunn.
Born: in 1920.
2. Name: Kathleen Joan Troast.
Born: 1924.
She married twice:
A. Name: Trygve Sletteland.
B. Name: Duncan Pitney.
3. Name: Arthur Lincoln Troast.
Born: 1928.
Married with:
Name: Geraldine Norton.
4. Name: John Gilpin Troast.
Born: ** ** **** in Passaic, NJ, USA.
Married with:
Name: Eileen Murphy.
Born: ** ** *** in Passaic, NJ, USA.
>Obituary for Lititia Finn Mahony 1861 to 1949 A strong and religious woman.
Article on Dennis Mahony marking 50 years since his passing
Hickey Family pictured taken in the early 1900s. From left to right: Frederick Hickey, Frances (Fanny), Dorothy (Dickie), Katherine (Kit), Charles (Chick), Marion, Alice, Russell, Alice Gregory Hickey.
Great article on Frederick Hickey’s retirement as General Manager of the Railway Express Service.
Awesome letter from RLM, Sr. to his daughter Betty on St Patrick’s Day 1944.
This is a family classic as my grandfather knew how to write a letter. The note opens with all the trouble grandson Denny was in for throwing rocks and breaking some windows. Denny also decided to head down to a store on Franklin Avenue with his buddy which resulted in some punishment from my father. What strikes me is that my grandfather found the whole episode pretty funny as opposed to the reaction more prevalent today. The point of the letter is to offer of support and encouragement to his daughter who had some medical issues recently. “All we care about is your health and happiness above anything else, and the older we grow the feeling grows on us that nothing but our children’s happiness seems important” he says. That about says it all.
The first (and only) Mahony Family Entrance Exam
This exam was administered to Andrew Bainbridge a day or two before he and Katy got married. For some reason Katy is referred to as Kathy but I will blame that on my admin. assistant at the time. Anyway, Andrew was very good natured about it and passed with flying colors: not sure we could get many other people to go along with this!! Exam or not, we very glad Andrew joined the family. Please see me or one of my siblings for the answers. AM
Letters from Helen
Ray usually took the lead in writing family letters with Helen leaning over his shoulder making sure he didn’t leave anything out. She did, however, write a few notes herself which were informative and also expressed her love and appreciation to her children and their spouses. Here are four to enjoy.
This was written in the 1970s. News, support, and humor are abundant.
From Helen to Jan in 1985. At the time we were considering moving to San Diego which prompted the letter. The second and third paragraphs can make you cry and laugh within a few seconds.
This is to Sean answering a great Christmas letter he wrote to the family back in 1983
Thank you note from mom to Art and Jan following their 60th anniversary party. She thanked us for hosting and for making sure her brother George, his wife Pat and children attended.
