Obituary of William H Maher

William H. Maher, DVM

Was born November 15, 1935 in Luverne, MN to John and Mary (Mulroy) Maher.  He grew up on a farm near Beardsley, MN and graduated with honors and as class president from Beardsley High School, class of 1953.  His hardscrabble start in life as the second of five farm kids growing up in western Minnesota caused him to develop a sense of empathy for others and an urgent desire to help those who were less fortunate.  He served two years with the U.S. Army. Upon his discharge, he enrolled at Iowa State University, graduated with a degree in veterinary medicine, and was accepted for an internship at Angell Animal Medical Center in Boston.

In 1961, he was united in marriage to Jacquelyn Josephes and together they raised "five good bananas." He owned and operated two small animal hospitals for a total of 30 years:   Brooklyn Park Pet Hospital (co-owner) and Camden Pet Hospital in Minneapolis (original owner).  

William received several professional awards, including the USDA Agricultural Research Service Award; Distinguished Service Award (MN Veterinary Medical Association); American Humane Society Association Award (1998); Animal Humane Society 25-year Service Appreciation Award (1995); Stange Award (2000); and an award from the Association Scientific Veterinary Council of Cuba for the unconditional improvements to the veterinarians of Cuba (2009).  He received an honorary DVM from the Republic of Cuba and was an Honorary member of the Presidential Council of Veterinary Sciences, Republic of Cuba.  In 1996, he won the WCCO Good Neighbor Award. While humbled by all of these accolades, what was the most dear to his heart was the decades he spent making countless missionary trips to Cuba to help improve the quality of life for humans and animals. 

William was a member of the Knights of Columbus, the American Legion, and the Lions Club.  He had a life-long interest in photography and a quest to be fluent in Spanish. 

 William was preceded in death by parents John and Mary Maher, sister Dorothy and brother John.  

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Jacquelyn; children Mary Anne (Mike Scott), Margaret, Thomas, Timothy (Elizabeth), and Joseph; grandchildren Sarah and Jack; sisters Ann and Dolores; beloved cat Fiona; many nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends.  He also was preceded in death by the sixth Maher "child" -- and inarguably William and Jacquelyn's favorite -- Whippet x Terrier x Scotty Paddington Bear, along with other four-legged family members: Herman, Rusty, Heidi, Tabby, Spike, Sabrina, Fred, George, Buffy, Hobo Xavier, Sparky and Seamus; and clinic guardians/animal friends Sadie and Kate.

Visitation will be held at the Cremation Society of Minnesota, 7835 Brooklyn Blvd., Brooklyn Park, MN, on Wednesday, October 5. 2022 from 6-8 p.m.

Service will be held at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 9100 93rd Avenue North, Brooklyn Park, on Thursday, October 6, 2022 at 10:30 a.m. with visitation one hour prior to service.  Lunch to follow funeral Mass. Burial at Fort Snelling will be conducted at a later date.

Memorials may be made to Second Harvest Heartland or the charity of your choice.