Des Plaines doctor delivered more than 3,000 babies

A longtime family doctor, who practiced in the Des Plaines area for over 40 years, helped thousands of babies enter the world during his career.

Dr. John McMahon, a longtime Mount Prospect resident, most recently of Island Lake, died Dec. 8 at age 89.

He dated his practice back to the early 1950s, when he and the Fahey brothers, who all practiced different medical specialties, established an office above the Des Plaines Theater in downtown Des Plaines.

Within five years of coming to Des Plaines, Dr. McMahon and the Faheys built the Fahey Medical Center on the Golf Road Circle in the Cumberland section of the city, where the practice grew along with the Northwest suburbs.

"He was one of our founding fathers," said Dr. Michael Grear, an orthopedic specialist now on staff. "He was very personable and caring, and always made himself available to his patients. There were many nights he would be working there up until 10."

Because of the nature of his family practice, Dr. McMahon often treated entire families, from birth to death, and his children say he liked that aspect of medicine.

"He never wanted to specialize; that why he had partners," says his youngest son, Dan. "He liked being able to do a little bit of everything."

His daughter, Peggy, adds that Dr. McMahon delivered more than 3,200 babies during his four decades of practice.

"It was a combination of his caring nature, and of practicing during the baby boom," Peggy McMahon said.

In the early days of his practice, Dr. McMahon referred his patients to St. Francis Hospital in Evanston, and he often visited them after a full day of seeing patients.

He remained on staff at St. Francis throughout his career, but he also was a charter staff member of Resurrection Medical Center and Advocate Lutheran General in Park Ridge, and of Holy Family Medical Center in Des Plaines.

In 1986, the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth awarded Dr. McMahon their first Mother Frances Award, named for their foundress, and honoring a health care professional who emulated her qualities of serving the poor and underprivileged.

He shared the podium that night with the sisters' selection for their outstanding community recipients, Ed and Virginia McCaskey, owners of the Chicago Bears.

Over the course of his career, Dr. McMahon received many awards, family members added, but he always cherished that one, which he received after 25 years of being in practice.

Dr. McMahon was preceded in death by his first wife, Dorothea, and his son, the Rev. Thomas McMahon, C.S.V. He is survived by his wife, Grace, seven children, three stepchildren, 10 grandchildren; four step grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

Services have been held.