Richard E. Mahan

Richard E. Mahan Jr., 70, of Niles, quietly passed away at home on the evening of April 10, 2022.
He was born on June 1, 1951 in Youngstown the son of Richard and Margaret Scarnecchia Mahan Sr.
Richard attended Mt. Carmel School through eighth grade and graduated from Howland High School in 1969. After graduation, he attended Youngstown State University and joined The Niles Police Department in 1973. As part of The NPD, Richard held a number of positions as he advanced through the ranks. He was promoted to Lieutenant in 1987 and later to Captain in 1993. During 27 years of service, he did everything from directing community orienting policing, to serving as turn commander of the patrol division, to supervising traffic, detective, and record divisions.
Recognizing the importance of education, Richard earned his A.A.S. Degree in Police Science Technology ,B.S.A.S. Degree in Law Enforcement Administration, and his M.S. Degree in Police Management  from Y.SU. In 2000 Richard retired from The NPD to join the staff of YSU to help establish the highly successful YSU Peace Officer Training Academy. He was coordinator of the Academy from its inception until his retirement from YSU in 2013. Under his leadership, nearly seven hundred students were trained to become police officers. For his efforts, he was given YSU’s Distinguish Service Award in 2008. In 2013 he was Alumnus of The Year for The Department of Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences.
Richard enjoyed participating in The Police Olympics, golfing, bowling, reading, and especially enjoyed vacationing, holidays and Sunday dinners with family. As an active member of First Christian Church Disciples of Christ in Niles, Rick served as a trustee, deacon, elder, and audio coordinator for worship services.
Richard leaves behind a very close knit family who will deeply miss him including his wife Joyce Thorp Mahan whom he married April  19, 1974, his son Richard William Mahan of Niles, grandchildren Katie and Mia, his sister Mary Beth Conrad and her husband Edward of The Villages, Florida, his sister-in-laws, Lynn Gombos and her husband Thomas, Jill Fowler and her husband Robert, his niece and nephews, Gretchen Gombos, Michael Gombos, and Nick Conrad, and his great-nephew Braunson Craft.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
The family wishes to thank his compassionate care giver Christine Harper from Shepherd of The Valley Home Health Care and Jackie Mixon, also the aids and nurses from Traditions Health Hospice Care. They would also like to thank his friends and former colleagues for daily cards and calls.
Friends may call from 4 to 7PM Thursday at the Joseph Rossi and Sons Funeral in Niles where the Niles Fraternal Order of Police will hold a prayer service.
Funeral services will be held at 11AM Friday at The Joseph Rossi and Sons Funeral Home in Niles with Pastor Christopher Stark officiating.
Burial will be in Niles City Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be sent to Niles Community Services, the church, or The Parkinson’s Foundation.

Arrangements are being handled by The Joseph Rossi and Sons Funeral Home in Niles.

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