John was born in Dorchester, MA on September 8, 1949. He is predeceased by his parents, Margaret Coughlin and John Joseph Rahilly of Boston, MA.
John is survived by his loving wife of 48 years, Linda Bartlett Rahilly, his two sons: Christopher Harold Rahilly (Jennifer Clark-Rahilly) of Box Elder, SD and Jeffery John Rahilly (Kimberly Freeland Rahilly) of Frisco, TX, and his two loving grandchildren, Virginia Hope Rahilly and Gianluca Pedroso. John is also survived by his sister, Patricia Rahilly Dawson (LeoDawson), and twin brothers, Daniel Rahilly, (Nancy Rahilly) Dennis Rahilly and several nieces and nephew.
John graduated from Wentworth Institute in Boston, MA. It was while he was a student, working at Peter Bent Brigham Hospital, that he met his beloved wife, Linda. Almost every day for the next 48 years he would tell Linda "the best thing I did was marry you". Immediately upon graduation, from Wentworth, John joined the Navy. He and his wife began the first of several moves (eight states in all). After the Navy, John pursued a career as an Aircraft & Powerplant Mechanic by attending Northrop Institute of Technology, in California. John began his corporate aviation career at Canadair (now Bombardier) in Hartford, CT. Soon after he took a position at KC Aviation, Dallas TX where he became president for several years. After the sale of KC Aviation, he worked a short time as VP at Gulfstream, then became VP of Technical Services for BBA Aviation followed by VP of Operations for Mercury Air Centers, Inc. and then VP of Sales and Marketing, at Dassault Falcon Jet.
John semi-retired and became an instructor with Global Jet Services Inc., teaching Professional Development Courses. John loved teaching future generation of aviation enthusiasts. Students who attended his classes particularly enjoyed the way John’s stories of his experiences throughout his career made the classes interesting and relevant. Over the years John touched the lives of many people from the Walmart greeter to executives in some of the largest corporations in aviation. The family would like to thank the tremendous outpouring of love and support we have received from those who had the pleasure of knowing John.
John and Linda were fortunate over the years to travel extensively across the United States and Europe. He loved trap shooting with his buddies in the St. James Gun Club. When not shooting he worked on restoring historic military firearms.
Unfortunately, John had a rapid decline due to an aggressive form of brain cancer (Primary Brain Lymphoma). Sadly his cancer did not respond to treatment and in keeping with John's wishes, he returned home to Southport, NC under the care of Hospice and his loving wife, a veteran Hospice nurse herself.
The family would like to give a very special thank you to the professional and compassionate staff of Duke University Hospital, including Dr. Danielle Brander and her team in the Hematological Oncology Fellow Program, Dr. Allan Friedman, and all the wonderful nurses and aides of zone 9100.
A special thanks to the Lower Cape Fear Hospice for providing his in home care and Dr. Andre Minor, his physician since moving to Southport.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made to a scholarship fund established in his name. Please make checks payable to “NBAA Charities”. In the memo section of the check please list “The John F. Rahilly Memorial Scholarship for Future A & P Technicians”. Checks should be sent to NBAA at 1200 G St. NW, Suite 100, Washington, DC 20005
A Celebration of Life will be held at later date. John will be buried in Linda's family plot in Lancaster, MA.
Online condolences may be made at www.peacocknewnamwhite.com.
Peacock - Newnam & White Funeral and Cremation Service in Southport, North Carolina is honored to assist the Rahilly family.
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