John F. Maher, 57, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loved ones after a long battle with leukemia.
John (Johnnymaher) was a light for all that knew him, a hard working family man and a loyal friend to many. Born in his beloved New Brighton section of Staten Island, he never forgot his roots, moving one town over when he married and keeping his longtime friends throughout his life very close.
From a young age John fell in love with music and baseball. He would go on to be Captain of the baseball team at Curtis High School and was a passionate and talented pitcher in the Twyford Muche league. He then went on to be a pitching coach for St. Peter's Boys High School for several years. John's love of baseball and his eternal optimism found expression in his perennial love of the Toronto Blue Jays. Working at St. Peter's Cemetery from a young age, he was appointed Director in 2008, a role that he dutifully filled with his big hands, big voice and big heart. He was also owner and operator of Emerald Lawn Care for over 25 years.
John's absence will be felt by all of his friends and family who loved him so dearly. He is predeceased by his mother Dorothy Kowaleski and is survived by his sister Colleen Kelly (Timothy), brothers-in-law Daniel Cafaro (Cindy), Thomas Cafaro, Michael Cafaro, sisters-in-law Teresa Kramer (Jay) and Mary Galvin (Paul); nephews Timothy, Sean, Shane, Kyle, Brendan, William and nieces Savannah, Caroline and Julia
Most of all John will be missed by his daughters, Kathryn, Emily and Alexandra, all of whom he was extremely proud of, and his beloved wife of 26 years, Elise (nee Cafaro) whom he loved more than anyone.
A wake will be held at Harmon Funeral Home on Monday, Nov. 26, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 10 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Peter's R.C. Church on Tuesday at 11 a.m. with burial to follow at St. Peter's Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Hospital would be greatly appreciated.
Harmon Funeral Home
571 Forest Ave.
Staten Island, N.Y. 10310
(718) 442-5056
Published in Staten Island Advance on Nov. 25, 2018
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