Mahon East, Sr., 92, a longtime resident of Utica, passed away peacefully at Faxton-St. Luke's Healthcare on Sunday, October 19, 2014 at the end of a wonderful, full life with his loving family by his side. Mahon was born on January 5, 1922 in LaGrange, Texas the son of the late Tom and Hestelle East and was educated in LaGrange schools. Mahon was drafted into the US Army, reporting for duty in the spring of 1942, during WW II. He became Sergeant of the 45th Engineer Regiment serving in the India, China and Burma Campaign until the end of the war. After returning home from the service, he located to Atlantic City, NJ where he became head steward of the famous Dennis Hotel. He later moved to Princeton, NJ where he worked for Princeton University Freshman Student Cannon Club. There he met the love of his life, the former Gwendolyn Woods who was attending nursing school in NY City. The couple married and moved to Utica, where they made their home and raised their family. Mahon was employed with Hotel Utica for 30 years, until his retirement. He enjoyed traveling, fishing, working in his garden, and most of all spending time with his loving family. Mr. East leaves to mourn his passing, his beloved wife, Gwendolyn; four daughters and their spouses, Pamela and Dr. Raymond Allen of Absecon, NJ, Beverly and Gerald McGraw of Philadelphia, PA, Marion and Tim Browman of Temple Hill, MD and Sauntie and Alrick Fuller of Niceville, FL; His grandchildren who were his pride and joy and who were with him to the very end; Shawn and Jason Woods, Alrick and Karie Fuller, Mahon III and Tanisha East, Nicole and Janice Barnes, Jamie Allen, Jodie Maslowski and Darcey Burnham; great grandchildren, Perry, Mahon IV, Jalisa, Cadan and Avonlea; two sisters, Florence Lawrence of Dallas, TX and Stella Mae Hubbard of Houston, TX; two brothers and their wives, LeRoy and Ruth East and LeaAndrew and Beverly East all of Houston, TX; two sisters-in-law, Johnetta Woods and Mercedes Woods both of Princeton, NJ; a niece, Tracey Woods of Philadelphia, PA; very special friends, David and Tara DeFazio and their family and Frank and Regina Leonard and their family as well as many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his son Mahon East, Jr. and his wife Roxanne, two brothers, Thomas East and Leon East and two sisters, Blanche Rivers and Elijah East. Mr. East's funeral will be held on Saturday, October 25, 2014 at 9:30 a.m. at the Heintz Funeral Home, 408 Herkimer Rd., N. Utica. His Rite of Committal and burial, with military honors will be in Forest Hill Cemetery in Utica. Calling hours for family and friends are Friday from 4:00-8:00 p.m. Those wishing to make a donation in Mahon's name, please consider St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Pl., Memphis, TN 38105. Mr. East's family extends a special thank you to the Doctors and nurses at Faxton-St. Luke's Healthcare, and the VA hospitals in Syracuse and Rome for the wonderful care you provided to Mahon. Love You Forever Gwen, your loving wife of 60 years.