Obituary of John Maher

John Maher, 85, of Pearland, Texas, passed away on October 26, 2018. He is preceded in death by his parents, Lena Clausen and Richard Maher and brother, Terry Maher. Left to cherish his memory is his loving wife of 60 years, Anne Margaret Maher; son, John Maher, Jr. and wife, Rosa; daughter, Bernadette Wolff; brother, Tony Maher and wife, Jean; sister, Joan Hill; grandchildren, Molly Anne Wolff, Robert Sean Wolff, Jack Winston Wolff; and a host of other family and dear friends.

John Maher was born in Liverpool, England in 1933. He was the oldest of 4 children. He lost his father at the age of 7 due to WW2, so his mother moved the family to Fethard, Tipperary, Ireland to be with the Maher family. After going to Technical School and becoming an electrician’s apprentice, he did his National Service with the British Army. A week after his service ended, at a dance at St. Franks Church, in Liverpool, he met young Anne McDermott, the love of his life, who was only 16 years old. Three years later they were married. With a wife and 2 young children, Bernadette and John, Jr., he traveled to the US for the American dream. Anne and the children traveled by boat.

They settled in the DC area, ending up in Laurel, Maryland. He worked as an electrician for IBEW Local Union 26, and according to him, he helped build DC. He was active in the British Embassy Players Club. As a devout Catholic, he was an active member of the Knights of Columbus for 50 years, many of those serving as Treasurer. He and Anne had many friends, and he loved attending reunions with his WOBS, (Washington Old Boys Society) in England. His hobbies included British Football, (Everton) and Horse racing.

When he retired he moved to Southport, North Carolina where he loved playing golf and walking the beach. Here in Texas, he enjoyed playing poker at the Bella Vista clubhouse. He and Anne spent the early days of their retirement traveling, to 28 countries, and, especially to England to visit family and old friends. Anne, his two children, and his 3 loving grandchildren, Molly, Sean, and Jack will miss him very much.

A visitation and Funeral Mass for John will be held at St. Luke’s Catholic Church, 11011 Hall Road, Houston, Texas 77089, on Saturday, November 3, 2018. The family will start receiving friends at 12:00 pm and the mass will begin at 12:30 pm, with Father Douglas Guthrie officiating.