James Aloysius Maher

" James Aloysius Maher, Jr. 81, of Harrison Ave. Monson, MA, died February 17th at Mary Lyon Nursing Home in Hampden. Born in New York City, September 25, 1923 he was the son of the late James A., Sr. and Helen (McMahon) Maher. Jim grew up in New York and lived there for many years before moving to Monson in 1968. He was an Army Air Corps Veteran of World War II, serving in both the US and European Theaters. His love of aviation continued throughout his life. He maintained his membership in the Aircraft Owners and Pilot’s Association, the American Aviation Historical Society and the Experimental Aircraft Association. Jim retired from Warren Pump Industries in 1988 after 10 years of service in Quality Control. He had previously worked as a designer and industrial salesman at National Propane in Wyandanch , NY, as well as serving as a chief mechanical designer for Electromagnetic Industries of Sayville, NY. He began his career as a draftsman for Republic Aviation of Farmingdale, NY. A religious man, he was a communicant of St. Patrick’s Church in Monson, where he served as both a Eucharistic Minister and lector, as well as being a former member of the Knights of Columbus. He will be deeply missed by his loving wife of 57 years, Catherine (Meehan) Maher, his three sons, Stephen of Bondsville, Gregory and his wife Donna of Aurora, IL, and James and his wife Andrea of Holden, along with his two daughters, Nancy Coley and her husband Jamie of Ludlow, and Christine Scibelli and her husband Donald of Monson, as well as his 12 grandchildren Stephanie, Jennifer, David, James, Meghan, Michael and Rebecca Maher, and Catherine and Caroline Coley, and Michael, Jonathan and Robert Scibelli. He also leaves his sister Jeanne Gilley of Louisiana. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by a brother Richard in 2004. Funeral services will be Tuesday, February 22 at 9:00 a.m. from the Beers and Story Palmer Funeral Home, 1475 N. Main St, (Rte. 20) followed by a liturgy of Christian burial at 10:00 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Church. Burial will follow in Bethany Cemetery. Calling hours will be Monday from 5:00 – 7:30 p.m. with a Celebration of Life service at 7:30 p.m. Irish Blessing May the roads rise to meet you, May the winds be always at your back, May the sun shine warm upon your face, May the rains fall soft upon your fields, And until we meet again May God hold you in the palm of His hand. "