John H. Maher

John H. (Jack) Maher, 72, formerly of Portsmouth, RI, died Sunday, May 17, 2015 at home in Auburn, CA. Mr. Maher was born in Fall River, MA on January 16, 1943. He is the son of the late John H. Maher, Sr., and Angelina (Rebello) Maher. He was married to Rosalie R. Stoakes for forty-eight years.Mr. Maher was a graduate of Durfee High School in Fall River. Following graduation, he served in the United States Air Force. He went on to earn his Bachelor's Degree from Black Hills State University, Spearfish, SD, and his Master's Degree in Public Administration from the University of Rhode Island, North Kingston, RI. In 1971, he became the Director of Training and Education for Redfield State Hospital, SD, working with People with Developmental Disabilities. He returned to RI, in 1974, where he worked for the state as an Associate Administrator for Community Services, again, serving people with disabilities. From 1976 to 1977, he was employed by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as a Supervising Program Analyst, working with regional area directors and staff to provide services appropriate to individuals with disabilities.Mr. Maher became the Executive Director of the James L. Maher Center, Newport, RI., in 1977 and remained at the helm until he retired in 2010. In his role, he tirelessly advocated for and developed programs, residential services and employment opportunities for the people he served. He was responsible for developing new innovative work programs such as a laundry service, hospital cleaning and other custodial services for the Navy, and food servicesIn 1988, he was elected to the Portsmouth Town Council, serving for two consecutive terms. He was elected to the RI State Legislature where he served from 1998 through 2002. He loved cooking, reading, photography, and scrapbooking.Besides his wife, he is survived by his daughter, Monique Maher Brown, and her husband, Tom, of Newcastle, CA, and his son John H. Maher, and his wife, Alice (Oberthaler), of Crystal Lake, IL, his brother Francis J. Maher of Hanson, MA, and his sister, Kathleen A. Barrette of Saunderstown, RI. He is also survived by his seven grandchildren, Sophia, Michelle, Valerie, Sasha, and Heather Brown, of Newcastle, CA, and Isaac and Abigail Maher of Crystal Lake, IL, and several nieces and nephews.Calling hours will be held on Friday July 10, 2015 from 4-7 pm and Saturday July 11, 2015 from 2-4 pm in Connors Funeral Home, 55 West Main Road, PortsmouthA memorial service will be held on Saturday July 11, 2015 at 4 pm in the funeral homeDonations may be made to the James L. Maher Center, 906 Aquidneck Avenue, Middletown, RI 02842. Visitation JUL 10. 04:00 PM - 07:00 PM Connors Funeral Home 55 West Main Road Portsmouth, RI, US, 02871 info@memorialfuneralhome.com http://www.connorsfuneralhome.com Visitation JUL 11. 02:00 PM - 04:00 PM Connors Funeral Home 55 West Main Road Portsmouth, RI, US, 02871 info@memorialfuneralhome.com http://www.connorsfuneralhome.com Service JUL 11. 04:00 PM Connors Funeral Home 55 West Main Road Portsmouth, RI, US, 02871 info@memorialfuneralhome.com http://www.connorsfuneralhome.com