Harold F. 'Hal' Mahaffy

Boonville- Harold F. "Hal" Mahaffy, 93, of the Moose River Road, the owner and operator of Mahaffy Insurance Agency, husband of the late Marline, passed away on Wednesday, March 27, 2013, at Rome Memorial Hospital. Affectionately known as "Hal," he was born in Boonville, on January 2, 1920, a son of Charles A. and Maude E. Fitch Mahaffy. He grew up on the Mahaffy homestead farm on the East Road near Boonville, later completing his education through 12th grade at Boonville High School, leaving school during his Senior Year to serve his country in WWII. He later enrolled in classes to become a licensed insurance and real-estate agent. Mr. Mahaffy enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving in the European Theater of WWII, as a projector repairman in the 76th Infantry Division. He served in battles in Ardennes, Central Europe and in the Rhineland, including the duration of the Battle of the Bulge, from December 1944, lasting through the very harsh European winter of 1945. Mr. Mahaffy was honorably discharged with the rank of Technician Fifth Grade, on November 20, 1945, receiving a World War II Victory Medal, a European African Middle Eastern Service Medal and the American Service Medal. After serving his country, Mr. Mahaffy, was employed as a freight agent in Boonville, for the New York Central Railroad, first at the freight house and later at the passenger station on Water Street in Boonville. For many years, until the present time, Mr. Mahaffy operated Mahaffy General Insurance and Real-estate Agency, in Boonville. On August 15, 1962, Hal was united in marriage with Marline Uebele in Hoffmeister, NY. Mrs. Mahaffy, a long time proprietor and cook at the Boonville Hotel and Restaurant, an establishment that was well known for fine dining throughout the north country, died on December 29, 2004. Mr. Mahaffy was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church, Boonville, where he was a 60 year member of the church choir, and had served on the church Vestry. He was also a member of Boonville Fire Department, Charles J. Love Post American Legion # 406, Boonville, a Charter member and first commander of Harland J. Hennessey Post VFW, Boonville, and a 60 year member of Boonville Masonic Lodge # 165 F & AM. For many years he served as secretary and very active member of Boonville Kiwanis Club. Hal was a well known, talented North Country pianist and musician. As a youth he studied piano under the tutelage of Mrs. Ann C. Mac Master, of Boonville. For many years Hal entertained at the piano at many area dinners, Christmas occasions and celebrations thorough out the Boonville, Lewis County and Adirondack Mountain regions, and for the weekly meetings of the Boonville Kiwanis Club. He will be fondly remembered for his remarkable talent to entertain at the piano, playing a large repertoire of popular music by ear. During his more recent residence at Sunset Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Boonville, Hal continued to use his musical talents to bring joy and entertainment to the residents and staff at Sunset with his "Afternoon Music with Hal." Hal is survived by his step son, Dr. Gary Haven, Santa Monica, CA; his step grandchildren, Susan, Debrah Shaw, Lesley Hoffman, Sean Havens and Jordon Havens; and his cousins, John D. Mahaffy, Charles, Mahaffy, Mary Jane Ulrich and Jerry Buckley. He was predeceased by a step grandson, Ronald John Havens, in 1986, and by a cousin, Richard Mahaffy, in 2011. A visitation and Vigil Service will be held on Friday, May 3, from 5-8 p.m.at Trainor Funeral Home, Inc. 143 Schuyler St. Boonville. The Office for the Burial of the Dead with the Holy Eucharist will be read on Saturday, May 4, at 11:00 A.M. at Trinity Episcopal Church, Schuyler St. Boonville, where The Rev. Mother Linda Logan, rector, will officiate. Interment will follow in Boonville Cemetery, with military honors conferred by members of Charles J. Love Post American Legion, Harland J. Hennessey Post VFW, and the Tun Tavern Marine Corps League, all of Boonville. Memorial contributions may be made to a Boonville Charity of your Choice.