James "Jim" Mahoney Obit

JAMES "JIM" MAHONEY, 83, of Laguna Niguel, CA, passed away peacefully on Oct. 2, 2025, with family at his side following complications from a cardiac event in April. Born on Sept. 2, 1942, in Monticello the son of Francis and Mary Mahoney. He grew up on the Mahoney farm where his strong work ethic was instilled at an early age. He graduated from Monticello High School in 1960 where he excelled as a student and was captain of the football team and homecoming king. He went on to play football for Saint John's University in Collegeville, graduating in 1964 with a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry. He married Berteil Johnson in 1966 and they began their life in Long Beach, CA, where he served as an officer in the Navy including two tours in the Vietnam War. In 1972, they moved to Brainerd, where Jim and his brother led Crosby Manufacturing for many years. New career opportunities took his family to Minnetonka and later to Laguna Niguel, CA—although Minnesota was always "home." His career spanned all realms of manufacturing and executive leadership including roles at 3M, Osmonics, Rollerblade, Nordictrack, Mission Hockey, Camelbak, and Athletica. While Jim's professional accomplishments were significant, it is his role as husband, father and "Papa" that are his true legacy. His love of family, Irish ancestry, travel, time at the lake, and upland bird hunting with his sons, grandson and beloved German Shorthair Pointers will be remembered through generations. He and Berteil enjoyed a lifetime of travel with Yosemite National Park and Tuscany, Italy holding special memories that took them back many times. He loved the outdoors with adventures that included dozens of trips to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA) as well as National Parks and beyond for fishing, hiking, camping and whitewater rafting. Most recently he and his three children enjoyed a bucket list 80th birthday trip rafting the Grand Canyon for seven days, camping under the stars. His contagious laugh and steadfast commitment to protect and provide for his family will be forever remembered. He is survived by his loving wife Berteil; his daughter Peggy (Robert) Plohg, son Patrick (Amy) and son Michael; five grandchildren and sister Lorna. He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings Danno and Kathleen. A Funeral Mass will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17 at Saint John's Abbey Church, 2900 Abbey Plaza, Collegeville, with visitation starting at 1 p.m. Private interment will be held at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, in Minneapolis. Please consider a donation for the Class of 1964 Scholarship Fund in his memory to Saint John's University, PO Box 7222, Collegeville, MN, 56321 or www.givesju.com.