Obituary of Don McMahon

We are very sad to announce that Donald Ralph McMahon of Galahad passed away Friday, June 27, 2025 in his apartment at the Forestburg Villa at the age of 86 years.

Don was born April 9, 1939 in Galahad to Ralph and Gladys McMahon. He, older sister Doreen, and younger brother Grant lived on the home farm 3 miles NE of Galahad. Don grew up wanting always to be a farmer. He worked on the family farm from a young age, and helped neighbors and friends on their farms as much as he could. He finished school in Galahad, and worked oil rigs for several years in order to buy his own place. In 1964, he married his true love Connie Ponto, daughter of Fred and Martha Ponto of Galahad. They bought and moved to the Bernard Lee farm 5 miles SE of Galahad and embarked on their married life together of 1 month shy of 61 years. They were blessed with 4 children, Stuart in 1965, Ron in 1967, Daryl in 1969, and Tracy in 1972. They lived on their home farm until 2000, when they moved off to make room for Stuart’s growing family. They moved back to Connie’s home farm just north of Galahad for a few years, then bought the Wiseman farm 4 miles NE of Galahad. Don very much enjoyed their new yard on the coulee bank. He put many an hour on a lawnmower cutting grass that really didn’t need mowing but making very straight lines. He tended his gardens, and walked for miles across fields and along the coulee enjoying the land, the sky, the soil, the crops, and the wildlife.

Don and Connie enjoyed many years of winter vacations in Mexico and developed some lasting friendships with other snowbirds. Right from an early age, music and singing were an important part of Don’s life. He sang with his siblings, church choirs, sang while working in the farmyard, and later in life joined the Walter Jahns Choir and the “quartet of 8”. Nothing got in the way of choir practice, and he would start winding down his work days at 4 pm so he was ready for 6:30 or 7:00 choir practice.

Don is survived by his loving and devoted wife Connie of over 60 years, and family Stuart and Joanne of Galahad, Ron and Heather of St. Albert, Daryl and Nicole of Paris, Ontario, and Tracy and Rhett Losey of Edmonton, 7 grandkids, Cole, Tucker, Layton, Shea, Kieran, Abby and Lauren, and his sister Doreen and brother Grant both of Camrose.

Don’s funeral will be held Friday, July 4^th, in the Galahad Agriplex at 2:00 pm. Lunch and coffee will be served afterwards with plenty of visiting and remembering.

Memorial donations may be made to the Alberta Heart & Stroke, Galahad Cemetery or a Charity of Donor’s Choice.