John Arthur Ahern

John Arthur Ahern, a devoted educator, husband, father and grandfather, passed away on July 13 th , just a few days before his 95 th birthday.

Life and Faith
Born in Winthrop, Massachusetts on July 19, 1931, John was the cherished son of John D. and Sara P. (Norris) Ahern. He grew up in Revere and Melrose, MA and attended Malden Catholic High School before transferring to St. John’s Preparatory School in Danvers. Driven by deep faith, John joined the Xaverian Brothers and earned his bachelor's degree from the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. and a master’s degree in French from Middlebury College in Vermont. Though he later chose a path outside the order, his devotion to the Catholic faith remained central to his life. He and his wife were loyal parishioners at the Holy Name of Jesus Church in Valhalla, New York for 60 years, and faithfully watched live streams from St. Cecilia Parish in Boston. John put his faith into action through a lifelong commitment to social justice, regularly volunteering his time to support and uplift those on the margins of society often recalling that whatever we do to the least among us, we do to Christ.
 

A Distinguished Career in Education
John was a passionate and enthusiastic educator who dedicated his career to teaching. He shared his love of learning across multiple states, teaching at St. Joseph’s in Kentucky, Saint John High School and Xaverian High School in Massachusetts, and Stepinac High School in New York. Later, he earned a second master’s in education from Columbia University in New York, alongside advanced studies at the University of Paris. For over 30 years, John served as a professor at Westchester Community College in Valhalla. There, he inspired countless students through his classes in French, English as a Foreign Language, and College Success. His skill and dedication were recognized in 1979 with New York State’s prestigious Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching.

Personal Passions and Community
John and his beloved wife, Joan Clare (Morrissey) Ahern, shared 59 beautiful years of marriage in Valhalla, NY. Deeply invested in his local community, John was an active member of the Mount Pleasant Historical Society and many clubs in the area. Together, John and Clare shared a love for adventure, embarking on many meaningful travels throughout Europe, including a memorable sabbatical in Paris in 1976. John possessed a remarkable vitality and discipline. In his earlier years, he channeled his energy into coaching successful track and cross-country teams. An avid runner and tennis player, he famously logged five miles every single day, undeterred even by severe winter snowstorms. As he stepped into his 80s, John transitioned to daily walks, becoming a familiar, friendly face at the Kensico Dam Plaza and Kensico Cemetery. Growing up by the beach in Massachusetts, John held a lifelong love for the ocean, spending many happy vacations with his family on Cape Cod, Robert Moses Beach, and Montauk. Closer to home, he loved to garden, and his neighbors frequently enjoyed his gifts of fresh tomatoes and zucchini. A true lifelong learner, John read The New York Times every day and was famously known for clipping and mailing newspaper articles to relatives and friends whenever he found a topic they might enjoy.
 

Family and Legacy
One of John’s greatest joys in life was spending time with his seven grandchildren. He treasured every moment with them, whether playing Othello, watching their sporting events, going on walks, or teaching them about a myriad of topics. John is survived by his loving wife, Joan “Clare” Ahern; his daughter, Catherine “Zoé” Prince of Valhalla and her children Ronald “Deuce” Prince (and partner Samantha Camisa) of Florida, James Prince (and fiancée Erin Lillis) of Indiana, Sarah “Grace” Prince (and partner Morgan Littlefield) of Maryland, and John Prince of Indiana; his son, Dr. Kevin Ahern and his wife Elizabeth Glauber of Ossining, New York, and their children Finnian, Islay, and Kieran Ahern; and his son, Shawn Ahern (and partner Brian Beaudette) of Boston, Massachusetts. He is also survived by his brother, Paul Ahern and his wife Mary of Melrose, Massachusetts; his sister, Patricia Wilhite DeBell of Houston, Texas; and many beloved nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his beloved sister, Barbara Ahern, who passed away a few years earlier. Lastly, John would often say, “You only take with you to heaven what you have given away while on earth”. He knew his purpose was to be God’s hands in feet in this world and to be happy with him in the next.

Memorial Contributions
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in John's memory for “English as
a Second Language Scholarships” at Westchester Community College through the Westchester
Community College Foundation https://wccf-ny.org/donation-form/ or for social justice initiatives
through the Dorothy Day Guild dorothydayguild.org.

Family and friends are invited to Pleasant Manor Funeral Home, Inc. 575 Columbus Avenue - Thornwood, New York 10594 on Friday, July 17, 2026 from 4:00 - 8:00 PM for visitation.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated for John at Holy Name of Jesus Church in Valhalla on Saturday, July 18, 2026 at 11:00 AM, Father Michael Greco will officiate.  Committal services will follow the mass privately. 

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