Obituary of Thomas F. Maher

Thomas F. Maher, 86, of Peabody and formerly of Lynn and Amesbury, died peacefully Wednesday afternoon at the Grosvenor Park Nursing Home in Salem following a brief illness. He was the devoted husband of Rita (Ryan) Maher with whom he shared over 59 years of marriage. Born in Lowell, he was the son of the late Thomas F. and Mary (Murphy) Maher. He was raised and educated in Lowell and graduated from Lowell High School. Upon marrying his wife Rita, he moved to Lynn for a number of years, then lived in Amesbury for 20 years, and has spent the last 2 years living in Peabody. Mr. Maher was a veteran of World War II who served with the United States Army Air Corps. He served in Italy and Northern Africa before he was honorable discharged in October of 1945. After the war, he went to work for the New England Power Plant in Salem. He started as a mechanic and later became a foreman and had worked for over 30 years, before retiring in 1982. While he was retired, he enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. He was a handy man who enjoyed teaching his children, and later his sons-in-law, how to get things fixed around the house. He also enjoyed gardening and doing genealogy research. He was a very active member in all the parishes he belonged to over the years. He served as Eucharistic Minister, Lector and was a member of the Carmelite 3rd Order in Peabody. Besides his loving wife of 59 years, he is survived by three sons and two daughters-in-law, William and Jean Maher of Danvers, Gerard Maher of Derry, NH, and Thomas J. and Noreen Maher of Danvers, five daughters and three sons-in-law, Mary and Donald White of Peabody, Cathleen Kelley of Rockport, Maria-Therese Doherty of Billerica, Veronica and Patrick Cox of Danvers, and Regina-Marie and Mark Cali of Peabody, a brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Anna Maher of Medeira Beach, Fla., a sister, Pauline Whittaker of Light House, Fla, a brother-in-law and two sisters-in-law, Joseph and Sally Ryan, both of Lynn, and Sr. Frances Ryan of the Sisters of Charity of Halifax, of Newton, and is also survived by his loving and adoring 25 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. He was the father of the late Thomas F. Maher III and brother of the late Mary Fitzpatrick. His visiting hours will be held on Monday from 4:00 until 8:00 PM at the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, 20 Church St., Peabody Facility. His Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday at 10:00 AM in St. Adelaide’s Church, Peabody to which relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend. Burial in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Lynn. Expressions of Sympathy can be sent to the Catholic Relief Services, P.O. Box 17152, Baltimore, MD 21298-8452