J. Francis Mahoney IV, 69, principal in realty firm

J. Francis Mahoney IV, 69, of Wynnewood, a principal in a commercial realty firm, died Saturday, Nov. 28, of complications from cancer at Kindred Hospital in Havertown.

Known as "Fran," Mr. Mahoney was born in Philadelphia, the eldest son of J. Francis Mahoney III and Margaret G. Mahoney, both physicians.

He graduated from Malvern Preparatory School and the University of Pennsylvania.

In the early 1970s, Mr. Mahoney started work at Albert M. Greenfield & Co. in Philadelphia, where he rose to become vice president of the industrial real estate department.

In 1990, he moved to Cushman & Wakefield, a commercial real estate services firm. He was director of the industrial and technology services group. His duties included marketing, leasing, and disposition of land and buildings.

In 2014, he and Peter Greenhalgh founded Waldron Commercial Realty Advisors in Devon. Mr. Mahoney's projects in the last 18 months included transactions in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. He had no plans to retire.

"Fran was a lifelong friend [from kindergarten on] and a great business partner for 30 years," Greenhalgh said in an email. "He was extremely bright, and had a unique understanding of people, their needs and motivations.

"Known for being competitive, but always honest and fair, he was a major contributor to the Philadelphia industrial real estate industry and will be greatly missed."

Mr. Mahoney was a leader of the Philadelphia Board of Realtors and the Philadelphia Chapter of the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors, and a member of the Tri-State Board of Realtors.

In 1970, Mr. Mahoney married Sally Marie Forsyth. The couple raised four children in Wynnewood.

He enjoyed travel and playing sports. A longtime member of Aronimink Golf Club, Mr. Mahoney was a skilled paddleball and tennis player, a club champion in trapshooting, and an enthusiastic golfer.

He and his wife entertained family and friends for every holiday and most family events. A superb chef, Mr. Mahoney loved to man the grill and experiment with recipes.

When Mr. Mahoney became ill in May, friends and relatives flocked to his room at Bryn Mawr and Kindred Hospitals to lend support.

"The staff affectionately referred to his location as the 'party room' because it was always filled with laughing guests," his family said.

In addition to his wife of 45 years, Mr. Mahoney is survived by sons Francis and Timothy, daughters Sally Ann Westbrook and Molly, two grandchildren, three brothers, and a sister.

A visitation at 9 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 3, at Presentation B.V.M. Church, 204 Haverford Rd., Wynnewood, is to be followed by a 10 a.m. Funeral Mass. Interment is in Calvary Cemetery.

Donations may be made to Melmark, 2600 Wayland Rd., Berwyn, Pa. 19312.

bcook@phillynews.com

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