Cemetery Angel #6 ©2013 Janet Maher
It is with sadness for his passing and in gratitude for having been privileged to get to know him over a few years that I share a tribute to the life of Michael Maher. A largely attended and beautiful thanksgiving of his life was celebrated today in Annapolis, Maryland.
“Mike Maher, 85, was born in Houston, Texas to Alvin M. and Lucille Guillaume Maher. A graduate of Saint Thomas High School, he received a B.S. degree from Tulane University in physics and did graduate work at the University of Maryland. During the Korean War, he flew F-86s and F-94Cs in the 84th Fighter Squadron, Air Defense Command, United States Air Force.
He had an accomplished career applying science to real world problems. As a government contractor, he developed the phased radar system found in naval warships today. He played a major role in the design and manufacture of the Pegasus satellites which gathered crucial data for NASA’s moon missions. He later established a major environmental testing laboratory and in 1970 became its President and CEO. at the U.S. Department of Commerce he led the design of the Industrial Energy Conservation Program which assisted the manufacturing sector in improving its energy efficiency, reducing the nation’s dependency on foreign oil. At Potomac Electric Power Company, he designed and implemented a load control program for residential and commercial customers which contributed to the cancellation of a major new generating plant. In retirement, he consulted with the Electric Power Research Institute on the introduction of electric cars.
He lived life fully, enjoying good wine, Navy and Redskins football, ice cream, sailing, Dixieland jazz and the Big Band music of the 1940s, cherry pie, the newspaper comics, and lively political discussions. He was a skilled photographer. He read widely and was particularly interested in American and military history.
He was a past president of the Lindamoor Improvement Association, a member of the International Club of Annapolis, and an associate member of the Class of 1953, U.S.N.A.
He was a loving husband and his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren were his greatest pride and joy…”
May God hold him in the hollow of His hand.
©2014 Janet Maher / Sinéad Ni Mheachair
All Rights Reserved
Maher Matters 
Thanks you for keeping us all posted on Maher Matters. Sorry to hear we have lost another Irishman. This deepens my commitment to work on the family tree this year. Good to hear from you, Janet. Hope all is well.
Good to hear from you, Sue. Wishing you well, Janet
Janet, I’ve been enjoying the website and all of your thoughtful and artistic efforts, lovely job! Anyways, I’m wondering if you might have any info on a Mary Maher, born in Tullaroan, Co. Kilkenny around 1825, who married Nicholas Larkin. Their daughter, Margaret Larkin, was born in Tullaroan around 1856 and she is my great grandmother who married my great grandfather John Carney in New Haven, CT. Many , many thanks for any insights you might have and I hate to be a bother. My Best from chilly Upstate New York. Tim O’Connor
Thank you, Tim. I don’t have any direct knowledge, although there may be a marriage record in the Archdiocese of Hartford microfilm. You can contact the archivist there (Stephanie Gold, 860-541-6491) and ask if she can find that for you, or make an appointment to sit with the microfilm if you plan to be in CT sometime. In 1856 they would have likely been married in Saint Mary’s Church, which replaced the first Catholic church in New Haven that was burned in 1847. Were I based in CT still I would look up info in the New Haven Vital Records Office for you, but, unfortunately I am not. I do know someone with the Larkin surname who might have a connection. On the chance of that, I’ll get in touch with him. Stay warm! Janet
Janet, Many thanks! I will get in touch with the archivist in Hartford, great idea, I didn’t even know they had one. What piqued my interest was your exhibit in 2013 which you featured on your site and which included a photo from Tullaroan, which, have both the Maher and Larkin tie for me, as well as their tie in New Haven. I’ll stay warm – we’re gearing up for a foot of snow over the next day. My Best, Tim