Robert James Maher

GENEVA - Robert James Maher passed away peacefully on September 16, 2025 in Geneva, N.Y., at age 90, with his children at his side, surrounded with love from his family and friends.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be at St. Stephen's Church, 48 Pulteney St., Geneva, N.Y., where Bob was a lifelong member, on Friday, September 26, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. Burial will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery in Geneva. The family will greet people at the church, beginning at 9:30 a.m. and will host a reception afterward with details to be shared at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Our Lady of Peace Parish, 130 Exchange Street, Geneva, N.Y. 14456.

Bob was predeceased by his devoted wife of 60 years, Joan, and his parents, John and Gladys and brother David. Bob is survived by his son, David (Mary) Maher and daughter, Susan (James) Hage; grandchildren, John, Bridget and Patrick (Maher) and Theodore, Benjamin and Alexandra (Hage). The former DeSales Winter Carnival King was born on December 7, 1934 in Geneva General Hospital. He and Joan began their life together in Geneva, where their two children were born. They then lived in both Lake Ronkonkoma, Long Island and Rochester, N.Y. before returning to Geneva in 1978. For over 20 years, Bob and Joan, along with lifelong friends from Geneva, spent their winters in Pompano Beach, Florida, playing golf, entertaining and enjoying their time together.

Bob graduated from DeSales High School in 1952 and then earned his Bachelor's and Masters degrees in Education from SUNY Brockport. In his years as both a high school and college student, he was an excellent athlete, competing in basketball and baseball.

He began his career as a teacher and athletic director at DeSales from 1958-1967, coaching football, basketball and baseball, while leading his Saints teams to more than 120 victories. During this time, he earned multiple Coach of the Year awards and was a role model to many student athletes, some of whom he maintained a friendship with until his final days. DeSales held a special place in Bob's heart throughout his life.

Bob and his family moved to Long Island where he taught and coached at Sachem High School for one year. As an only child, following the death of his brother when Bob was 10 years old, he felt the pull to be closer to his Upstate New York home of Geneva and took a job as a school administrator at Gates Chili High School in Rochester for 10 years before finally returning to his home in Geneva in 1978. His final job was as the Assistant Principal of Geneva High School. Upon his retirement in 1996, Bob had time to pursue his passion for golf as a member of both the Seneca Lake and Geneva Country Clubs, running, cheering on his beloved Buffalo Bills and New York Yankees, and spending more time at the Geneva Public Library pursuing his passion for reading.

Bob was inducted into the Geneva Sports Hall of Fame in 2016 for his outstanding work at DeSales High School as a coach. However, his life's greatest accomplishments were the World's Best Father and World's Best Grandfather trophies he earned year after year for 60 years.

Bob's wife Joan passed away in April of 2022, and he bravely moved forward without the love of his life for three years. His family is enormously grateful to the St. Francis rosary and daily mass groups, who welcomed Bob into their family and gave his days a new focus. When Bob's health failed in the summer of 2025, he moved to Clark Meadows in Canandaigua, and then briefly to the Living Center North in Geneva. The staff at both facilities were wonderful to Bob and lovingly supported him in his final weeks. In return, Bob continued his lifelong dedication to making each person he encountered laugh, forging new friendships and spreading joy as he navigated his final days with his family at his side. In Bob's words, quoting the Bible, "I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith."

Bob will be tremendously missed, but we are all comforted knowing he is with Joan in his true home in Heaven.

For condolences please visit www.devaneybennettfh.com