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Obituary for Stephen C. Mahan III
Syracuse – Stephen C. Mahan III, age 61, formerly of Geneva, passed away unexpectedly as a result of a motorcycle accident on Thursday, July 26, 2018, in Manlius, NY.
Stephen was born August 1, 1956 in Geneva, NY, the son of Stephen C. Jr and Rosemarie “Riley” (Scranton) Mahan.
He was a loving and devoted husband and father to his wife and children. He was an amazing source of inspiration, intellect and fun to everyone who knew him.
Stephen lived life on his own terms and lived every day to the fullest. Yet he always remained humble and kind.
He was a force to be reckoned with. He was an exceptional photographer and an incredible outdoor enthusiast. His photography has been displayed in several galleries as well as published in National Geographic Travel. As a renowned river guide, he lead expeditions down some of the world’s greatest rivers, rivers throughout the U.S., British Columbia, Quebec, the Patagonia Region of Chile, China, Jamaica and Tibet. He pioneered the first decent down the Po Tsangpo River in Tibet, which runs through the deepest canyon in the world and was featured in National Geographic. He also spent many years guiding down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. He had just returned from a 14 day run though the Canyon with his daughters.
Stephen was not only adventurous, but he was also a compassionate educator. He was the founding director of the Photography and Literacy (PAL) Project at Syracuse University as well as a professor in the College of Visual and Performing Arts. The PAL Project earned national attention as a model for helping students develop literacy skills through the use of photography, video, audio recording and writing. He was a mentor and teacher to both University students and city schoolchildren. He worked diligently in the Syracuse community with mentors and children at the Hillside Work-Scholarship Connection, the Southwest Community Center and the North Side Learning Center. He taught classes at the Community Darkroom/Light Work Lab and served on Light Work’s board of directors for many years.
He is survived by his father Stephen C. Mahan Jr. of Geneva, his wife, Mary Lynn Mahan, daughters, Riley Mahan and Sadie Mahan, brother, Michael (Deborah) Mahan all of Syracuse and brother Joseph Mahan of Manhattan, sisters, Mary (Paul) Longstreet of Canandaigua and Jean (Steven) Shutter of Geneva, along with his extended family which included his in-laws, a niece and nephews, aunt and cousins.
He was predeceased by his beloved mother, Riley.
In lieu of flowers a 529 College Savings Account has been established for Sadie. Contributions can be made by mailing a check payable to College America, memo: FBO Sadie Mahan to Mary Lynn Mahan or contact Mary Longstreet or Jean Shutter and they will assist you.
Calling Hours will be Friday, August 17th from 5:00 until 7:00 and the Memorial Service will be Saturday, August 18th both will be held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 310 Montgomery Street, Syracuse, NY 13202
The 8am mass on Saturday, September 29, 2018 at St. Stephen’s Church, 48 Pulteney Street, Geneva, NY 14456 will be dedicated to Stephen.
If you wish to send a note of condolence please visit gangmemorial.com
Stephen was born August 1, 1956 in Geneva, NY, the son of Stephen C. Jr and Rosemarie “Riley” (Scranton) Mahan.
He was a loving and devoted husband and father to his wife and children. He was an amazing source of inspiration, intellect and fun to everyone who knew him.
Stephen lived life on his own terms and lived every day to the fullest. Yet he always remained humble and kind.
He was a force to be reckoned with. He was an exceptional photographer and an incredible outdoor enthusiast. His photography has been displayed in several galleries as well as published in National Geographic Travel. As a renowned river guide, he lead expeditions down some of the world’s greatest rivers, rivers throughout the U.S., British Columbia, Quebec, the Patagonia Region of Chile, China, Jamaica and Tibet. He pioneered the first decent down the Po Tsangpo River in Tibet, which runs through the deepest canyon in the world and was featured in National Geographic. He also spent many years guiding down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. He had just returned from a 14 day run though the Canyon with his daughters.
Stephen was not only adventurous, but he was also a compassionate educator. He was the founding director of the Photography and Literacy (PAL) Project at Syracuse University as well as a professor in the College of Visual and Performing Arts. The PAL Project earned national attention as a model for helping students develop literacy skills through the use of photography, video, audio recording and writing. He was a mentor and teacher to both University students and city schoolchildren. He worked diligently in the Syracuse community with mentors and children at the Hillside Work-Scholarship Connection, the Southwest Community Center and the North Side Learning Center. He taught classes at the Community Darkroom/Light Work Lab and served on Light Work’s board of directors for many years.
He is survived by his father Stephen C. Mahan Jr. of Geneva, his wife, Mary Lynn Mahan, daughters, Riley Mahan and Sadie Mahan, brother, Michael (Deborah) Mahan all of Syracuse and brother Joseph Mahan of Manhattan, sisters, Mary (Paul) Longstreet of Canandaigua and Jean (Steven) Shutter of Geneva, along with his extended family which included his in-laws, a niece and nephews, aunt and cousins.
He was predeceased by his beloved mother, Riley.
In lieu of flowers a 529 College Savings Account has been established for Sadie. Contributions can be made by mailing a check payable to College America, memo: FBO Sadie Mahan to Mary Lynn Mahan or contact Mary Longstreet or Jean Shutter and they will assist you.
Calling Hours will be Friday, August 17th from 5:00 until 7:00 and the Memorial Service will be Saturday, August 18th both will be held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 310 Montgomery Street, Syracuse, NY 13202
The 8am mass on Saturday, September 29, 2018 at St. Stephen’s Church, 48 Pulteney Street, Geneva, NY 14456 will be dedicated to Stephen.
If you wish to send a note of condolence please visit gangmemorial.com
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