The Ahern Foundation was established after Donald X. Ahern, a life-long resident of Bayonne, NJ lost his battle with cancer in 1995. Don's life was dedicated to serving the Bayonne Community. He worked for 35 years in the public school system beginning as a teacher and retiring as the Principal of Alternative Education. While in college, he was a volunteer assistant football coach at Bayonne High School and ultimately went on to be the legendary Head Coach for 30 seasons. His part-time recreation supervisor position at City Hall eventually led him to the Council Chambers, where he served the people of Bayonne as their Council-at-Large Member for 12 years.

Arlene (nee Furlong) Ahern was the heart and soul of the Foundation. She and Don raised seven children of their own but "Arzie" was a Mom to countless others. Although she was of Irish and Swedish descent, one of her signature dishes was Chicken Parmagiana, which she would feed to many college coaches and recruiters who visited "Coach" and his kids.