[msb-alumni] Re: Robert Mahoney, Michigan's First Blind Representative and Class of 41 Alumni, Dies at 95 with Obituary

From: "Gary" <K8HLX@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <msb-alumni@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Sat, 15 Apr 2017 04:00:30 -0400

BlankThat was a great tribut for Bob Mahony.  My younger brother Dennis knew
Bob quite well.  He got my brother to get a computer, and that’s how Denny
talked to my dad and me about getting one, as well.

From: Steve
Sent: Tuesday, April 11, 2017 1:58 PM
To: msb-alumni@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [msb-alumni] Robert Mahoney, Michigan's First Blind Representative and
Class of 41 Alumni, Dies at 95 with Obituary

I'm glad to know him as a friend, dating back to a chance meeting at a cassino
in Nevada back in the mid-90's.  Shan and I will miss the many nights playing
Euchre with Jennie at their house.
He led an amazing life, and really, Jennie should get more credit for running
their notary business with a Braille Writer on the back of the toilet tank
while raising ten kids.
Steve and Shannon

Robert Mahoney, Michigan's first blind state lawmaker, dies at 95 Paul Egan,
Detroit Free Press Robert D. Mahoney, who was Michigan's first blind lawmaker
and who raised 10 children with his wife, Jennie, who is also blind, died on
Thursday at age 95. Mahoney, who attended Northern High School in Detroit
and the Michigan School for the Blind, lost his eyesight at the age of 15 and
worked as a door-to-door salesman before he was first elected to the Michigan
House of Representatives in 1954, representing northeast Detroit for 18 years.
He and his wife, who survives him at age 97, later moved to East Lansing.
Mahoney wrote an autobiography, "Living Out of Sight," which he self-published
in 1995. "He was remarkable in the sense that he never gave up on anything,"
said Joe Mahoney, one of Mahoney's eight surviving children, who is a senior
consultant for the Michigan Catholic Conference in Lansing. "He couldn't look
us in the eye and see us, so he saw us with his heart. Born in Duluth, Minn.,
in 1921, Mahoney, a devout Catholic, married Jennie Kubinger in 1941. He
leaves 22 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. "He was a brave man," said
Fred Wurtzel, a spokesman for the National Federation of the Blind in Michigan
who knew Mahoney for many years. "He was just an amazing guy. Wurtzel said
there were few employment opportunities for blind people in the 1940s and 1950s,
and, like many others, Mahoney sold brooms and other items door-to-door. He was
prompted to run for the Legislature when he tried to get out of that line
of work to participate in a state employment program for blind people, but was
told he was ineligible because of a heart murmur, Wurtzel said Robert Mahoney
as he appeared in the legislative Michigan Manual of 1965-66. (Photo: Paul
Egan/Detroit Free Press) "He said if it hadn't been for them telling me I was
physically unfit, I would have never got into the Legislature," Wurtzel said.
In 1956, the Mahoneys established a mail-order business, Michigan Notary
Service, which Jennie Mahoney ran from their home. Joe Mahoney said his dad
became one of the largest notary bondsmen in the state and the business remains
in the family today. Mahoney also worked for the Wayne County Register of Deeds
and after his time in the Legislature served on the Wayne County Commission
and lobbied for the Michigan Hospital Association. "You're given one life, and
you've got to do the very best you can with it," Mahoney was quoted as saying
in a 1997 article in The Michigan Catholic. "Half the joy in life is making
some success out of it. According to that article, Robert Mahoney was blind
in one eye from birth and lost his sight in the other eye because of a detached
retina suffered in a skiing accident when he was in the 11th Grade. His
wife lost part of her sight following a high fever when she was 3, and lost the
remainder of her sight when she was 11. The two met at the Michigan School
for the Blind. According to The Michigan Catholic, Mahoney introduced the bill
that requires hunter safety classes for young people and first proved that
anyone could buy a hunting license by obtaining one for himself. According to
his death notice, Mahoney also sponsored a bill to provide state identification
for blind people who did not have a driver's license. Bill Ballenger, publisher
of The Ballenger Report, served as a Republican in the Legislature during
Mahoney's tenure. "It's absolutely an incredible story," said Ballenger, who
recalls Mahoney navigating the Capitol with a white cane, sometimes assisted
by other Democratic members.

*****
Robert Daniel Mahoney Robert Daniel Mahoney East Lansing, MI Robert Daniel
Mahoney, age 95 of East Lansing went to his heavenly home on March 30, 2017.
He was born in Duluth, MN to Daniel and Isabelle Mahoney on October 16, 1921.
Robert married Jennie Kubinger (who was also blind) on November 29, 1941.
The biggest joy of Bob and Jennie's lives were their 10 children. Gary
(deceased), Roberta Staton (Chuck deceased), Rosemary Sinutko (deceased), Dennis
(Jackie), Colleen Sinutko (John), Joseph (Marlene), Mark (Kelly), Mike, Bill
(Mary), Bob (Dari). Robert and Jennie have 22 grandchildren and 16 great
grandchildren.
Robert lost his sight at the age of 15; however, he never let that handicap
hold him down. After his career as a door to door salesman he got involved
in politics. In 1954 Robert Mahoney became the State of Michigan's first blind
State Representative. He served the people of Detroit's northeast side for
18 years. During his tenure as State Representative he was responsible for
several significant pieces of legislation. He sponsored the bill to provide
state identification for handicapped people who did not have their driver
license. He also sponsored the Vending Stand Act, which required that all
State-owned
buildings would require a vending stand run by a blind proprietor. Robert was
also responsible for getting the funding for WKAR radio for a sub-channel
for the blind "Talking Book" program. After leaving the legislature in 1972, he
was appointed to serve as a Wayne County Commissioner for three years.
Robert came back to Lansing and lobbied for the Michigan Hospital Association
for several years. He and Jennie have lived in East Lansing for the past
several years. Robert loved his family, his many friends, enjoyed playing cards
and discussing politics. Robert was a lifelong Catholic and would attend
daily mass whenever he was able. He and Jennie would pray the rosary daily and
their faith was truly a gift from God. In 1995 Robert, self-published a
book, "Living Out of Sight" about his and Jennie's life. Funeral Mass will be
held Monday, April 3, 2017, 10:00 a.m. at St. Thomas Aquinas, 955 Alton Road,
East Lansing, MI 48823 and visitation one hour prior at the church. The family
will receive friends Sunday, April 2, 2017, 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. with the rosary
being said at 7:30 p.m. at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Home, 1730 E. Grand River
Ave., East Lansing, MI. Christian burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery
in Lansing, MI. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Capuchin Soup
Kitchen, 1264 Meldrum St, Detroit, MI 48207. The family is being served by
Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, East Lansing Chapel. On-line condolences may
be made at www.greastlansing.com

Steve
Lansing, MI

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References:
- [msb-alumni] Robert Mahoney, Michigan's First Blind Representative and Class of 41 Alumni, Dies at 95 with Obituary
  - From: Steve

[msb-alumni] Re: Robert Mahoney, Michigan's First Blind Representative and Class of 41 Alumni, Dies at 95 with Obituary

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