Mark Gerard Maher was a big man with an even bigger heart.
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Mr Maher died yesterday at his East Maitland home with his loving family by his side.
He was born on October 30, 1952 in Strathfield, Sydney before moving to Maitland in the early ’80s.
Mr Maher served two terms as a Maitland City Councillor in the 1990s and was a big believer in offering his many personal talents to the service of others in his community.
During his tenure on Maitland Council he pushed for the creation of many infrastructure projects for the benefit of the community, including the Alan McEwan Oval, with the vision of creating a safe space for families to enjoy the outdoors.
He worked for many years in the NSW Lands Department, Valuer Generals Office and the Roads and Transport Authority, acquiring many properties for the betterment of the infrastructure services on the North Coast.
During his semi-retirement Mr Maher was employed at Hunter Valley Buses, a job he enjoyed for the freedom it gave him to interact with community members and partake in the life of the town he loved.
He was a noted member of the local farming and environmental community, serving on the Catchment Management Trust and Landcare Council, as well as operating his own property Rathluba, with the help of his four brothers.
Mr Maher was also a devoted family man.
He married Robyn in 1982 in Strathfield and had six children – Jane, Anne, Matthew, Alli, Sarah and Lucy, and four grand children – Millie, Imogen, Jacob and Jack.
Mr Maher loved rugby union, a sport where his great physical strength was put to good use.
He was a firm believer in the benefits of teamwork and sport as an avenue for the development of personal character in young men.
He played for Wanderers Rugby club and represented NSW at under 21 level.
Mr Maher’s generosity continued well into the last years of his life with much of his semi-retirement spent supporting his local Catholic Community where he actively raised funds for education opportunities for underprivileged youth and lent his support to many initiatives supporting the development of young people in the church.
He was a committed and faithful man, who led by example.
Mr Maher’s funeral will be held on Friday at 10 am at St Josephs Catholic Church East Maitland.
Prayers will be said from 9.30am and all are welcome.
Mr Maher’s family ask that in lieu of flowers all donations be sent to Maitland-Dungog Palliative Care.
