Obituary for George J "Red" Maher
Funeral Mass for George J. “Red” Maher, 94, of Mentor, will be 9:30 a.m. Saturday, June 4, 2022, at St. John Vianney Church, 7575 Bellflower Road, Mentor.
George passed away Wednesday, April 27, 2022, just four days shy of his 95th birthday at Hospice House of the Western Reserve in Cleveland.
Born May 1, 1927, in Cleveland, he was one of seven children born into the large Irish family of George and Margaret (nee Kearney) Maher.
Red attended St. Joseph Collinwood Elementary and was a proud “Railroader” at Collinwood High School. He was a natural athlete who played basketball and baseball in high school and beyond. In fact, he played shortstop for the Washington Senators Farm System until he injured his knee.
George served in the U.S. Navy for four years during World War II. He then worked as a Cleveland firefighter for 31 years and volunteered as a starter at Pine Ridge Golf Course for 22 years after his retirement.
In 1951, George married the love of his life, Edythe M. Coladangelo. They were married for 64 years before her passing in 2015.
George is survived by his children, Anne (Bill) Busch, George M. (Mary) Maher, Tom (Deb) Maher, Colleen Maher, and Kelly Maher (Andrew Rice); grandchildren, Kate Maher, Mary (Seth) Nichols, Thomas Maher and Brock Maher; great-grandchildren, Trae Maher, Julia and Levi Nichols; sister, Patricia (Al) Zak; sisters-in-law, Lydia Maher and Elaine Pishnery; brothers-in-law, Gary Greben and Fred Zikas; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and siblings, Mary (Will) Flack, Anne (Glen) Hunt, Catherine (Edward) Goedecke, Phillip (Lydia) Maher and Peggy Maher.
Family will receive friends from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, June 3, at McMahon-Coyne-Vitantonio Funeral Home, 6330 Center St. (Route 615, north of Route 2), in Mentor. An additional visitation will be held from 8:30 a.m. until the time of the Mass Saturday, June 4, at the church. Burial will follow the Mass at Mentor Cemetery.
The family wishes to send special thanks to Elena and the Hospice team for all of their help during this difficult time. Donations in his honor may be made to Hospice of the Western Reserve, 17876 St. Clair Ave., Cleveland, OH 44110, or Lake Humane Society, 7564 Tyler Blvd., Bldg. B., Mentor, OH 44060.
To leave condolences for the family, visit www.MCVfuneralhomes.com.
George passed away Wednesday, April 27, 2022, just four days shy of his 95th birthday at Hospice House of the Western Reserve in Cleveland.
Born May 1, 1927, in Cleveland, he was one of seven children born into the large Irish family of George and Margaret (nee Kearney) Maher.
Red attended St. Joseph Collinwood Elementary and was a proud “Railroader” at Collinwood High School. He was a natural athlete who played basketball and baseball in high school and beyond. In fact, he played shortstop for the Washington Senators Farm System until he injured his knee.
George served in the U.S. Navy for four years during World War II. He then worked as a Cleveland firefighter for 31 years and volunteered as a starter at Pine Ridge Golf Course for 22 years after his retirement.
In 1951, George married the love of his life, Edythe M. Coladangelo. They were married for 64 years before her passing in 2015.
George is survived by his children, Anne (Bill) Busch, George M. (Mary) Maher, Tom (Deb) Maher, Colleen Maher, and Kelly Maher (Andrew Rice); grandchildren, Kate Maher, Mary (Seth) Nichols, Thomas Maher and Brock Maher; great-grandchildren, Trae Maher, Julia and Levi Nichols; sister, Patricia (Al) Zak; sisters-in-law, Lydia Maher and Elaine Pishnery; brothers-in-law, Gary Greben and Fred Zikas; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and siblings, Mary (Will) Flack, Anne (Glen) Hunt, Catherine (Edward) Goedecke, Phillip (Lydia) Maher and Peggy Maher.
Family will receive friends from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, June 3, at McMahon-Coyne-Vitantonio Funeral Home, 6330 Center St. (Route 615, north of Route 2), in Mentor. An additional visitation will be held from 8:30 a.m. until the time of the Mass Saturday, June 4, at the church. Burial will follow the Mass at Mentor Cemetery.
The family wishes to send special thanks to Elena and the Hospice team for all of their help during this difficult time. Donations in his honor may be made to Hospice of the Western Reserve, 17876 St. Clair Ave., Cleveland, OH 44110, or Lake Humane Society, 7564 Tyler Blvd., Bldg. B., Mentor, OH 44060.
To leave condolences for the family, visit www.MCVfuneralhomes.com.