Ryan Mahoney
Ryan Berndt Mahoney died January 29 at New York Presbyterian Hospital, surrounded by his wife and family, after a courageous battle with, and complications from, Hodgkin’s disease. He was 31 years old.
Born April 16, 1980 to Susan Berndt and Daniel Patrick Mahoney, Ryan grew up in Rye.
He graduated from Rye Country Day School in 1998, and in 2002 received an A.B. in Economics from Dartmouth College, where he was the President of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity.
He met his future wife, Alisha Weishaar of Troy, Michigan, while living in New York City. They were married October 7, 2006 at the Central Presbyterian Church in Manhattan. On November 13, 2009, Ryan and Alisha gave birth to a beautiful son, Shaylon Daniel. Alisha is expecting twins in July.
Ryan started his career at Bear Stearns in the Institutional Equity Research Sales Department, where he was quickly promoted to become one of the firm’s youngest Managing Directors. In 2008, Ryan began working at Credit Suisse, where he again excelled as a Director. Ryan went to work each day with a spring in his step and looked forward to the challenges he faced and the interactions he would have. Colleagues and clients alike remember Ryan for his genuinely nice demeanor and admired him for his diligent work ethic, positive attitude, and warm smile.
Ryan grew up sailing at American Yacht Club in Rye. He began in the Optimist Program, moved on to Blue Jays, and went on to become a world-class sailor in the International 420 division. He qualified three times to represent the United States in the International 420 class world championships in Australia, Belgium, and Newport. He was the top American finisher in Australia. Ryan also qualified for the U.S. Sailing Youth Championships in San Francisco, St. Louis, and Hyannis, and placed second in the 1996 Bemis Finals of the U.S. Sailing/Rolex Junior Championship in the 420 class.
As an accomplished competitor, coaches and opponents admired Ryan for “his grace under pressure, his sportsmanship, and his sincere humbleness”. He was passionate about sailing and wrote, “Sailing has taught me self-reliance and self-confidence, and it has given me strength of character. It has taught me to respect my environment and to remind other people to do so as well. Most importantly, sailing has given me the understanding that nothing of value comes without superior effort and without taking calculated risks.”
Off the water, Ryan and his wife Alisha shared a love of travel. Among their many trips, one of the highlights was during the summer of 2008, when they spent two months driving across the United States before meeting their family for a tour of China. A lover of all things Apple, Ryan documented their remarkable journey in volumes of iPhotobooks. Pages of wonderful places, old friends, and new friends tell the story of their great travels.
Ryan loved spending time in Vermont, where he grew up skiing with his family, and enjoyed camping trips to the Catskills Mountains and on Bois Blanc Island on Lake Huron, off the coast of Northern Michigan.
When at home in his apartment, Ryan spent many afternoons in Central Park with his son, ate out with friends, and hosted barbeques on his back patio. On game day, he was always rooting for Michigan State football, having been initiated as a fan by his wife Alisha. In all of his endeavors, Ryan lived life with courage, laughter, and love. He sought adventure in every experience, always with a twinkle in his eye and a hand extended in friendship.
Ryan Mahoney’s life was celebrated February 3 at a service held at Central Presbyterian Church in New York City. The overflowing church was a testament to the life he lived and all the people that he touched. Those that spoke in his honor recalled a man that displayed tremendous commitment, love of family, and loyalty towards friends.
In his eulogy, his brother Derek said, “Whether you knew Ryan for a week or for a lifetime, it would be impossible not to be warmed by his smile, touched by his incredible kindness to others, or thrilled by his love of life. As a brother he was also a best friend and a role model, distinctions many bestowed upon him.”
His close friend, Ted Conrads, said, “Ryan was able to balance his strong determination to succeed with an affable, loving personality that so many were drawn to. I will always look fondly on the countless hours that Ryan and I spent together racing sailboats, in the mountains, or spending time with our brothers, sisters, and loving parents.”
Ryan Mahoney will be missed, but never forgotten. He is survived by his wife, Alisha Mahoney and their 2-year-old son, Shaylon Daniel; his parents, Susan and Daniel Mahoney; his sister, Melissa Mahoney Wirth and her husband Christopher Wirth; and his brother Derek Edward Mahoney and his fiancée Molly Peters. He is also survived by his aunts and uncles: Barbara Mahoney of Rye, Kerry and Tom Brown of Rye, Jay Mahoney and his wife Gail of Edwards, Colo., and Binx and Walter Mahoney of St. Petersburg, Fla. and his grandmother, Shirley A. Mahoney of Jupiter, Fla.
Steve Conn
Steve Conn died January 23.
He was born in England February 17, 1964. Amazingly versatile, he spent his short life living on three continents, including the past 18 months in Rye.
A talented videographer, he was passionate about the way film and music conveyed messages. He realized video and social media could increase ‘engagement’ and that this could be very powerful, especially to grassroots causes. Mr. Conn used his talent within our community to help spread the word about Sole Ryeders, Suzanna Keith’s campaign, and Rye TV. His family remembers him as an engaging, fun, and caring person who loved to laugh and make others laugh.
Mr. Conn will be deeply missed by his two daughters, Daisy and Millie; his mother Maureen; his brother Paul and his wife Kat; his two godsons, Alex and Harry.
While Mr. Conn loved the space and freedom of the United States, he will finally rest in England, his country of birth, alongside his father, George.
A memorial service was held at Christ’s Church February 4.
Frank Praete Jr.
Frank C. Praete Jr. of Rye Brook died January 30. He was 96.
After graduating from New Rochelle High School, he attended Manhattan College and was an alumnus of Fordham Law School. During World War II, Mr. Praete served as a naval aviator and did combat duty in the Pacific theater.
For over 50 years Mr. Praete maintained a private law practice in New Rochelle.
Mr. Praete is survived by his wife of 22 years, Carolyn; his children, Barbara and Michael; a brother, Arthur; and two sisters, Muriel and Lonnie.
A memorial service will be held at Christ’s Church in Rye, where Mr. Praete worshipped, February 10 at 11 a.m.
