Yesterday I was looking through some Facebook messages and posts and saw a Cherryvale, Kansas post. It led me to this:
That is your grandfather, MY father, Pat Maher. This is a picture of him from his yearbook. He was an All-State basketball AND football player. He was quite the athlete, but what warms my heart the most is what people are saying after I posted his pic. I've copied them here. It's an online conversation that's just a day old, but look at those words people use to describe him: respectful, kind, warm, great, love, All-American, patient, excellent, humble, etc.
TITLE: All I'm going to say is WOW! This is a picture of my dad (Pat Maher) shooting a basketball (All-State basketball and football). +m2 P.S. Jim, Dan, Linda, correct me if I'm wrong on All-State in both sports.
In this photo: Jim Maher (photos | remove tag), Susan Maher Swope (photos | remove tag), Linda Hammer (photos | remove tag), Dan Maher (photos | remove tag), Taina Chiefs Copeland (photos | remove tag), Max Maher (photos | remove tag), Michael J. Maher-Realtor (photos | remove tag), Brian Maher (photos | remove tag), Rob Maher (photos | remove tag)
Added yesterday · Like · Comment
Ilsa Koenig Steward, Ginger Schulz Crist, Diana Shirley and 14 others like this.
Taina Chiefs Copeland Sure wish Facebook had a LOVE button:) Can you please tag me. Would love to have this pic:) If ya dont mind:)
15 hours ago · Like
Taina Chiefs Copeland Thank you so much Mike! Love ya:)
14 hours ago · Like
Linda Hammer As far as I can remember that is right, Mike. He was a natural athlete in all sports. I was so proud to be the "little Maher"!! That's what everyone called me as I acted all bashful and sweet! lol! My brothers and sisters were all stars in my eyes!
14 hours ago · Like · 1 person
Janet Parsons Wow way cool!
14 hours ago · Like
Doug Lay I always liked your Dad and looked up to him. I never knew he was an All-Stater! Thanks for sharing. Way Cool!!!!!
14 hours ago · Like · 1 person
Donna Mae Huntington I think Pat was your brother, rather than your Dad.....correct me if I'm wrong.
13 hours ago · Like
Michael J. Maher He was my Dad. He passed away on 09-01-92. +m2
13 hours ago · Like
Shannon Menzer Isn't that Rusty???? LOL
13 hours ago · Like
Taina Chiefs Copeland Kinda looks like him but thats my Uncle Pat:)
13 hours ago · Like
Michael J. Maher I was at a student-faculty game (students not in basketball play faculty for charity) - my first year of college I think. Came back to watch (and visit girlfriend). He played one quarter. He hit six 3-pointers in a row and the last one was from 30 feet. Came out after 5 or 6 minutes and was done (he was really out of shape). It was AWESOME! He shot a set-shot, push shot. I think 1 of them hit rim. Sadly, that was the only time I saw him play in any sort of competitive game (basketball, softball, etc.). +m2
13 hours ago · Like · 1 person
Shannon Menzer I knew it was...but it Rusty sure looks like him!
13 hours ago · Like
Linda Hammer Yes, Shannon, Rusty looks like my side of the family and Ryan looks just like his Dad!
13 hours ago · Like
Linda Hammer Thanks for that story, Mike. I wonder if we could get ahold of someone from your Dad's class to see if there were ever any films made that he would be in. Let me do some checking. (And, yes, we had film back in those days! lol! Well, I was about 6 years younger than Pat!)
13 hours ago · Like
Jeff Wipperman Great picture Mike.
12 hours ago · Like
Michael J. Maher Thanks Jeff. Good to hear from you. Still want your kid's basketball schedule - hear he's quite a player. +m2
12 hours ago · Like
Jeff Wipperman You need to watch one of our teams play some time. We have 4th and 6th grade. I will always post the schedules on the PowerGroup facebook page. Call me later this week. Let's catch up.
12 hours ago · Like
Michael J. Maher Will do. +m2
12 hours ago · Like
Linda Hammer Oh, wow! Just read your post, Donna! That name throws me every time. Yes, Pat was my brother, not my Dad. He was Mike's Dad. Mke's my nephew, and so on and so forth...........
12 hours ago · Like
Jim Maher Mike - can't say for sure on Pat's All State selections but I think that right. I just know he was All Everything to his baby brother. Dan and Al were great too (Dan was an All State Football Lineman), but I don't really remember them playing, and only vaguely remember your Dad's College days. Did you know he was a three sport letterman at Indy JuCo?
11 hours ago · Like
Michael J. Maher 3-sports? Basketball, football, and ? +m2 P.S. I knew Dan was All-State - Guard I believe.
11 hours ago · Like
Rob Maher I thought the 3rd sport was track.
11 hours ago · Like
Michael J. Maher What else is there? What did he do in track? +m2
11 hours ago · Like
Michael J. Maher Rob, isn't this a cool picture? +m2
11 hours ago · Like
Jim Maher Yes third sport was track.
11 hours ago · Like
Jim Maher Don't know what events tho.
11 hours ago · Like
Julee Warren That is so cool! Great Pic!
3 hours ago · Like
Dan Maher I enlisted in the Air Force after graduation. Did not get to see Pat play very much. But he was all-everything for Cherryvale High School in football and basketball. I was discharged the same year that Pat graduated (1956) and we attend ICC at the same time. The main thing is that Pat was an All American Man. He was a very respected, humble and kind human being. He never said a bad thing about anyone. He fought the cancer for a long time. Great memories.
3 hours ago · Like · 2 people
Christina Marie Dreiling Wow! Pretty Cool Michael! That's where you get all of your talent:)
2 hours ago · Like
Susan Maher Swope He was an All American dad to me! Amazing that we did not know this about him. I miss him and Dan, you are right, he truly was a respected, humble and kind human being. I'm proud to be his daughter.
about an hour ago · Like · 2 people
Amy Cunningham I loved your dad; he was a patient teacher and an excellent coach. I wish I could have played more than one year for him - I always thought that our team could have accomplished great things with him at the helm. A true class act.
about an hour ago · Like
Michael J. Maher Thanks Jim and Julee. Dan, so true. I always assume everyone knows that. :) I shouldn't do that. He was truly kind, humble, and respected. A great dad. @Christina, if you think he's good, you should see my MOM! =0) Truly special dad. :) @Susan, I miss him as well. Can you imagine him and Max now? wow. @Amy, thank you for that. Nice of you to say and he was a class act. +m2
about an hour ago · Like
Valerie Davis-Smith Wow, that is awsome. He also was a great teacher and coach who impacted my life.
25 minutes ago · Like
Just had to share this with you. I miss my dad and wish you could have known him. (Wow, where did those tears come from?) He would have loved to play with you, toss you in the air like I do, and hug you. You have a lot of him in you already.
With Love,
Max's Dad (Michael)
