Death of Canon Gerald Maher at 88

Nov 19 2009 by Shirley Bartynek, Hamilton Advertiser

CANON Gerald Maher, a retired Parish Priest of the Holy Family Church in Mossend, passed away on Monday, November 9, aged 88.

After his initial schooling at St Francis Xavier's School in Carfin and for two years at Our Lady's High School in Motherwell, he began his studies for the priesthood in Blairs College from 1933 to 1938, then going to the Scots College in Rome from 1938 to 1940.

Because of the outbreak of war, he ended his studies in philosophy back in Blairs for a year.

He studied theology at St Peter's Seminary in Bearsden from 1941 to 1945, from which he was ordained by the then new Archbishop of Glasgow, Donald Alphonsus Campbell in June, 1945.

On that occasion 12 new priests were ordained.

Bishop Joseph Devine said: “Some 15 years later, I also would be ordained in that same cathedral by the same archbishop, with again 12 of us being ordained on that day, but only seven in Glasgow, with three in Paisley and two in Motherwell.”

Speaking of Canon Gerry, he added: “His initial appointment was a pleasant one, at least for a few months 'doon the water' in Saltcoats.

“I suspect that he knew that this would be a short stay for him as he was greeted by the parish priest of the day, Canon Mick O'Connor, with the cheery welcome of ‘we don't need you here'!

“This was then followed by two other short appointments to St Patrick's in Dumbarton and St Margaret's in Johnstone.

“But given his obvious intellectual talent, he was then sent to Christ's College in Cambridge from 1946 to 1949.”

In 1949 Canon Maher he was appointed to Blairs to teach Latin and Maths.

Bishop Devine added: “My memories of him from those far off days are that of an extremely courteous person, someone who was a priest to his fingertips.”

In 1965 he returned to the Diocese, becoming parish priest of St Paul’s in Whitehill, Hamilton, in succession to the late Canon John Moss.

He then became the parish priest of St Bride’s in East Kilbride in 1971.

In 1980 he returned to his parish in the Holy Family in Mossend.

Gerry was delighted to come back and he began a programme of enhancing the beauty of this church.

About 13 years ago, Canon Maher decided that he was no longer fit enough to provide adequately for the pastoral care of this parish community.

Just over a year ago Canon Maher’s health began to deteriorate and he went to St Joseph’s Home in Robroyston where he was cared for by the Little Sisters of the Poor.