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Mike Maher Obituary
1945-2009
Mike made a peaceful transition from this life into death on Oct. 15. He was very ill for many months and ready to leave.
Mike is survived by his wife Sally, of Wickenburg, AZ., and his son, John, of Clarksville, TN. He is also survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Jack and Janice, of Arroyo Grande, his sister Margaret, of Oxnard., his mother-in-law, June, of Santa Paula, and numerous nieces and a nephew.
Mike retired from the Ventura City Fire Department as a Battalion Chief. Over the years he served the department in many areas including as a training officer, lead arson investigator and head of the hazardous materials section. After saving his Captain, Frank Beauregard, from falling to his death in a burning building, Mike was awarded the Medal of Valor from the State of California.
Mike attended Holy Cross Elementary School in Ventura, Villanova Prepartory School in Ojai and the University of California in Santa Barbara. H e served six years as an officer in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam Era.
Mike was a great story teller and loved to entertain people with his inexhaustible supply of jokes. He was still joking with his nurses in the hours before he died. Mike said he had a good go in this life....a 43 year marriage to Sally and a son of whom he was extremely proud. Those who knew Mike, know he was a man of principal, a loyal friend, and a true hero.
Next summer, in Mammoth Lakes, CA., a campfire will be built and friends and family will all sit around and tell stories in honor of his life.
Memorial donations in Mike's name can be made to Wounded Warrior Project at woundedwarriorproject.org
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Mike Maher
Sponsored by Luis Espinosa - Friend always.
Luis Espinosa
July 23, 2021
Many years have passed but I still miss my good friend Mike and am glad I can keep this guest book permanently online. Mike was a special friend who was one of my first mentors on the fire department. As a rookie firefighter, he was my senior firefighter on my very first crew assignment and took special care to help me get adjusted in this new career that we would spend over two decades working together before his retirement. I remember those early years well and Mike was a big brother of sorts and I had such great times off duty with him whether it was on the slopes at Mammoth, Horseback trail rides to Nordhoff peak trail, Sisar, many 10 kilometer road races, Happy hours social drinking gatherings with other off duty firefighters, softball league games and post celebrations at Santino's Pizza parlor, helping to reroof his home, and on and on. His jokes were priceless and he always made the workplace a place to look forward to be at even during stressful times during emergencies. Those were great qualities and he was a great individual. I will always regret that when he moved out of state after retirement, I was not able to stay connected with him to the point I didn't know he had fallen ill. I truly wish I could have spent even a day with him during his final months when his health was failing. My heart goes out to Sally and John for their loss of such a good man. He did things right and I will always feel blessed to have known him, worked with him, and been his friend. Rest in Peace Mike.
Ron and Robyn Roark
October 27, 2009
Sally,
To our detriment, we didn't have the pleasure of knowing Mike as long as many of his other friends, but we will never forget him. The fun times we had at Twin on the "dark side" and the stories about the campers and the other folks will be etched in our memories until we meet him again on the other side. We can't watch a football game without Mike in our thoughts. He will be so missed.
Brian & Lilian Dwight
October 26, 2009
To the Maher family:
It was truly fun working with Mike at the Fire Department. Never was a day that he wouldn't make you laugh, he always seemed to have a new joke everyday. It was an honor to know and work with Mike, he was one of the good guys.
Wayne and Jane McCord
October 24, 2009
Sally and John,
We are so sorry to hear of Mike's passing. We have fond memories of the many get-togethers, 4H and otherwise, and we are privileged to have sampled Mike's great cooking and his well known sense of humor. Our good fortune is to remember him as he was in Ojai.
Hopefully we'll see you and John at Twin Lakes. Maybe we can cook up a big ol' batch of ribs as good as Mike's, and reminisce around that campfire.
Zandee Meadows
October 24, 2009
Sally and John,
While I did not know Mike as well as I did you two, some of my greatest memories were with you Sally as you taught me in my first and greatest passion, horses. I know that he was a wonderful man who will be dearly missed by all who were fortunate enough to be part of his life. My heart and prayers go out to you and John as you deal with your loss and rejoice in legacy of his life.
Prayerfully,
Zandee Meadows and Family
October 24, 2009
Dear Sally and John,
So very sorry to hear of Mike's passing. Our thoughts are with you both at this time.
Sincerely, Richard & Vicky Alcasas
Sherry Smead
October 23, 2009
Sally and John, So sorry to hear of Mikes passing, one of the funniest people I have ever met. He will be truly missed, but it's his turn to make the Lord laugh. Sincerely, Sherry and Dustin Smead
Claudia and Bill Rigg
October 23, 2009
To the Maher family:
Claudia and I were very sorry to hear of Mike's passing. Mike was always fun to be around and we enjoyed many times working together at the fire department. Mike was great as a Battalion Chief and was very proud of his family. We will miss him greatly.
Shelley Ketchum Dickerson
October 22, 2009
Dear Sally,
I was so saddened to hear of Mike's death and my prayers are with you and John. Back in my days with Ventura City Fre Department, my grandfather used to wait for my phone calls so he could get the latest jokes from Mike to share with his friends. Mike always had a wonderfully positive attitude and was a good friend to all. I hope your wonderful memories will settle into your heart and ease your pain. Take good care of yourself!
Fondly,
Shelley
Chuck Noren
October 22, 2009
To Sally and John,
My sympathy to you. Mike was a good friend and neighbor.
Laura Heath
October 22, 2009
Dear Maher Family,
I am sorry to hear of your great loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Elinor Acquisto
October 21, 2009
Dear Jack,
I am so very sorry to read of your little brothers passing. He sounds like a wonderful man. You must of been very proud of him.
My deepest sympathy to you and your family. My heart and prayers are with you.
Deepest regrets
Scott Gruber
October 21, 2009
To Sally and John,
I can't begin to express the grief and sorrow I feel for you over Mike's passing. My life has been enriched tremendously by our friendship - the big Irishman was a true "man's man" by anyone's definition, and a never-ending source of "fatherly" advice. Mike often said, you only have the pleasure of one great horse, and one great dog, in one's lifetime. My mind wanders back to the immeasurable hours spent riding in the back country with the gang; Mike on Red, me on Lady, Buddy and Rip faithfully tagging along. Many nights spent around the camp fire sharing new anecdotes (or re-living old ones) and laughing until we all hurt. It simply doesn't get any better than that! He will truly be missed.
Ride in peace, Mike.
Caroline & Mike Edge
October 21, 2009
Sally...Mike & I were friends of Mike's back in the Ventura College days. Football was the connection at first, but we became great friends...he was so much fun to know! We're so sad with his passing, but know that the two of you had a wonderful life together. Please know that you are in our thoughts & prayers.
Bill Lykins
October 21, 2009
To the Mahar Family,
My deepest sympathy to Mike's family. Mike was a great person to be around, and I enjoyed my years knowing him when I worked for the Fire Department. No matter the situation, he always made us laugh and to not take things too seriously.
May God comfort you during this difficult time.
Ventura City Firefighters Assoc.
October 21, 2009
To the Maher Family,
On behalf of the Ventura City Firefighters Association, we are extremely saddened by Chief Maher's death. Our thoughts prayers are with your family. Please let us know if there is anything we can do for you.
Lou Manzano
2nd VP
Ron Duran
October 21, 2009
I will always smile whenever I think of Mike. He made so many people happy with his jovial and whitty personality.
Alot of us have many great memories with Mike both on duty with the Fire Department and off duty on horseback rides to Tiberon Wells. He kept us all entertained.
Your with Red now buddy...Ride in Peace
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