John J. Maher, a resident of Amityville for many years, died at Winthrop University Hospital, Mineola, February 10, 2001 at the age of 78. Born in Brooklyn on January 25, 1923, he had been employed as a steamfitter with Local #638 in New York City for many years. A U.S. Army veteran of WW II, he landed at Omaha Beach with his unit on D Day at Normandy and also served in the Rhineland, northern France and Central Europe campaigns. While serving from January of 1943 through December 1945, he earned the European African Middle Eastern Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal and the WWII Victory Medal. He was reunited with the survivors from his battalion after 50 years at a reunion at West Point. He also was part of the unit that relit the Eiffel Tower in Paris upon its liberation.

Mr. Maher was active in the Amityville Little League, the Amityville Varsity Club and enjoyed golf and made golf clubs.

His spouse of many years, Frances E. survives as do his daughter, Deborah E. Maher; three sons, Thomas, Richard a. and Joseph R.; grandchildren, Angela, Jessica, Jason, Richard, Johanna, Joshua and Jonathan and great grandson Thomas.

A memorial tribute to Mr. Maher is online at www.strandlab.com/maher

Funeral prayers were said at the Powell Funeral Home, 67 Broadway, Amityville, Thursday, February 15 by the Reverend Monsignor Robert Saccacio, Pastor of St. Martin of Tours R. C. Church, Amityville. Interment, with full military honors, followed in Pinelawn Memorial Park, Farmingdale. Arrangements were under the direction of the Powell Funeral Home.