Obituary of James E. Maher

Elmira: Age 85, passed away, surrounded by his family, on Thursday, October 28, 2021 at University Hospital SUNY Health Science Center, Syracuse, due to complications from an unexpected stroke. Jim was born and raised in Elmira a son of Peter and Mary (Saginario) Maher. He is predeceased by brother John R. Maher, father-in-law and mother-in-law Herbert and Margo (Stadler) Freeman, brother-in-law Roger Freeman, infant niece Mary Maher and nephew Ted Maher. He is survived by, as Jim would say "The love of his life" Diana Freeman Maher, with whom he celebrated 58 years of marriage October 5th; daughters and sons-in-law, Pamela and Todd Curren of Gillett PA, Patricia and Bob Howe of Pine City, Colleen Maher of Elmira; son Joseph Maher, with fiancée Kari Shannon, of Charlotte NC; grandchildren, Joshua (Samantha) Curren of Mosherville PA, Zachary (Samantha) Curren of Pine City, Emilie "Yogi" Curren of Elmira, Rob Howe of Pine City, Tim (Kara Ellis) Howe of Pine City; great-grandchildren, Luna and Seren Curren, Sawyer and Jackson Curren; sister-in-law Carol Maher of Elmira; nephews, Peter (Sharon) Maher of Elmira; John (Kathy) Maher of Breesport, with their children; Michael Maher of VA; cousin Steve (Linda) Fesh of FL; godson Danny Jo Mandell. Jim was a 1955 graduate of EFA where he played football, basketball and baseball. A U S Army veteran, he played the same sports on the Army Regimental team traveling throughout France for games. Jim's love of sports continued once he returned to Elmira, pitching in the Elmira City Softball League until the age of 50; also taking up bowling and golf. Jim refereed girls' high school basketball, coached baseball and basketball for Southport Rec, and was a CYO basketball coach for St. Mary's Church. Over the years, Jim worked at National Homes, J.P. & M. Sullivan, the A&P Plant, was a part-time bartender at EBC bowling alley and Pierce's Restaurant. He retired from Hilliard Corp after 32 years of service. In addition to his regular jobs Jim had a love of carpentry that found him building four homes for family members, along with various remodeling jobs, over the years. Active in the community Jim was a board member for Solutions Credit Union, delivered Meals on Wheels, was a member of the Adoration Society , served on various committes at St. Mary's Church, and was a member of the Southport Historical Society and the Ancient Order of Hibernians. In addition to his family Jim leaves behind a host of wonderful friends, along with neighbors and the neighborhood children, "his little buddies", who would visit him on the porch, almost daily. He also leaves behind his little furry friends, Jimmy 4 Paws and Simba. Jim was blessed with a great sense of humor, a big contagious laugh and a huge heart. He loved to celebrate life, family, and was known to be the first one on the dance floor! He was a man of God, a devout Catholic. Jim never met a stranger and kept everyone in his daily prayers. Jim would never say the word goodbye because that felt final, instead he would always say "so long for now." With our love, so long for now, Jim. Family and friends are invited to McInerny Funeral Home, 502 W. Water Street, Elmira on Monday, November 1, 2021 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. A prayer service will be held at the funeral home on Tuesday, November 2, 2021 at 9:45 a.m., followed by a 10:30 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at St. Mary's Church, 224 Franklin Street, Elmira. A livestream of the Mass will be available through the Facebook page for Most Holy Name of Jesus Parish (https://www.facebook.com/ElmiraCatholic). Masks are recommended at church. Interment, with committal prayers and military honors, will follow at St. Peter & Paul's Cemetery. Those wishing may remember Jim with a donation to one of the following….Meals on Wheels, 409 William Street, Elmira NY 14901; St. Jude's Children's Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis TN 38105-9959, or a charity of your choice for MS and Leukemia Research. Officers and members of the Ancient Order of Hibernians will meet at McInerny Funeral Home on Monday, November 1st at 7:00 p.m. to conduct a service for our brother, Jim. Signed, Patrick McFarland, President