John G. Maher

Born in Windsor Locks, Connecticut and long time resident of Delanco, John Maher died at the age of 93. He is survived by Irene (nee Paykos), his wife of 66 years, by his daughter Karin Nemeth (Steven) of Delanco, his son Terrence (Rosanne) of Philadelphia, his grandchildren: Erin Johnson, Andrew Maher and John Nemeth and by his great-granddaughter, Madison as well as by several nieces and nephews in Connecticut, Mississippi and New Jersey.

He was proud of his family, his Catholic faith, his military service and his Irish citizenship derived from both sets of grandparents.

For many years he was a teacher and disciplinarian at Burlington City High School and enjoyed meeting former students at reunions of classes from 1950 through 1960. He was also a principal at Burlington Township High School.

At one time active in community affairs, he served one term on the Delanco Board of Education. He was quite proud of his leadership effort which marshaled local opposition to a Sewage Authority proposal to abandon Beverly and move services to Willingboro. He was later appointed to the Authority.

From Army Private at the start of World War II, through infantry combat as a rifle platoon leader and heavy weapons company commander in Europe, to retirement as a full Colonel, he has had a lengthy and rewarding association with the military. His most significant assignment came after returning from Europe when he was posted to Fort Lewis, Washington. There he met Irene, an Army nurse from Roebling, NJ. They married at Fort Dix the following year. It was she who insisted he return to college and who guided him ever since.

He has been active as one of the organizers of the Fort Dix-McGuire Chapter of the Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge and served ten years as Honorary Commander of the 821st Air Mobility Squadron and the 816th Global Mobility Squadron.

When a member of Saint Peter’s Parish, he was Founding President of the Parish Council and Founding President of the Saint Peter’s School Advisory Board. His lasting gift to Saint Peter’s is the stained glass he made for the side windows by the inner entry doors.

Come celebrate John’s 93 wonderful years (May 3, 1920-July 1, 2013) Sunday from 6-8 PM and Monday 9-10 AM at the Sweeney Funeral Home, Riverside. Mass of Christian Burial to follow at Jesus the Good Shepherd Church (St. Peter’s Site), 101 Middleton St., Riverside, NJ 08075 at 10:30 AM. Interment Monument Cemetery, Beverly. In lieu of flowers memorial gifts may be made to Samaritan Hospice 5 Eves Dr., Suite 300 Marlton, NJ 08053 or to the St. Vincent de Paul Society via the church.