James E. Maher

James E. Maher

James E. Maher, age 91, of The Villages, Florida, and formerly of Toledo, Ohio, passed away on October 18, 2021.

Jim, born in Toledo, Ohio, was a graduate of DeVilbiss High School where he excelled both athletically and academically. President of his senior class, a star athlete in basketball, baseball, and track and field, and an honor student throughout high school, Jim was named DeVilbiss' outstanding contributor in athletics, academics, and school service his senior year.

Jim earned an appointment to West Point, but later transferred. Highly recruited for basketball, he played at Ohio State and then the University of Toledo. He played on the 1953-54 UT basketball team which won the Mid-American Conference Championship. He also played baseball at the University of Toledo.

After receiving his Bachelor of Education degree from UT, he began his career in education during which time he also earned a Master's Degree in Education from the University of Michigan. He taught high school mathematics and science courses, as well as coached high school football, basketball, baseball, cross country, bowling and golf. Jim was the first boys' varsity basketball coach at Start High School. He taught business law and commercial math at the University of Toledo. He was a high school principal in Woodville, Ohio. After leaving the field of education, he worked for QSP, Inc., a division of Reader's Digest where he coordinated fundraisers at area schools helping teachers/students/clubs raise more than three million dollars for school activities and athletics.

A generous and kind man, he along with his wife of nearly 60 years, JoAnn (Francis) Maher, were strong advocates for both men and women sports. They were active in fund-raising events for the University of Toledo athletic programs and were generous contributors to the UT Athletic Department. They were extremely involved in women's athletic programs in the Toledo Public School System. Both were elected to the Toledo Public School Athletic Hall of Fame. Always there to help a family member, they are remembered for their support and kindness. A marriage built on love and mutual respect, Jim and JoAnn were always there for each other and supported each other in every endeavor.

Jim was preceded in death by his wife, JoAnn; his parents, Leo and Bertha Maher; and his sister, Eileen Maher Klump. Jim is survived by his brother, Leo H. Maher; nieces, Sharon Keil and Beth Danecki; nephews, Tim Klump and Steve Maher, and numerous great-nephews and great-nieces. Though his last few years were difficult, he remained a positive, loving person who always had a smile on his face. He will be missed.

His life will be celebrated on Saturday, June 11, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. at a funeral mass to be held at the Chapel of St. Joseph's Catholic Church on Main Street in Sylvania, Ohio.