Thomas J. Maher, 84, of Swarthmore, Pa., longtime business executive and much-loved family man, died June 9 at home surrounded by his loving family. He had been battling cancer for the last eight years.
Born Aug. 31, 1940, in Philadelphia, Tom was one of four boys, raised by their mother in Cape May, N.J. He excelled in basketball at Wildwood Catholic High School, helping his team win the 1958 State Championship. This victory instilled a sense of teamwork and confidence that he carried through his life, and earned him a scholarship to Saint Joseph’s University.
In the fall of 1959, after a memorable courtship, which started in Cape May, Tom married Belle Thompson Patterson. In 1961, they had a son, Thompson, and Tom returned to school, attending the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.
In 1963, he graduated from Penn, moved his family to Puerto Rico to work with James T. Barnes & Co., and their daughter Jenna was born.
The family enjoyed their time in Puerto Rico and made many lifelong friends there. In 1968, they returned to the states, moving to Grosse Pointe, Mich., where Tom continued working for James T. Barnes & Co. In 1970, the family moved to Swarthmore and Tom started working for Lomas & Nettleton.
Tom started Thomas J. Maher & Co. in 1980, a proud achievement for their family; one that would lay the groundwork for their future. Thompson joined the business in 1983, and Jenna joined in 1985.
In 1997, they formed a joint venture with First Union National Bank which eventually became Wells Fargo Commercial Mortgage. Tom loved the mortgage business. From the relationships with clients, to solving issues for the most complicated deal, he always had an HP 12C in his pocket.
Tom was an excellent teacher. He believed in education and provided opportunities to all his employees to further their learning and career. He was proud that it was a family business. He was a mentor to many.
Tom enjoyed golf, gardening and loved traveling the world with Belle. He sat on the board of Washington College, Commerce Bank, The New Jersey Conservation Foundation, Bryn Mawr Terrace, Saunders House and the Upper Main Line YMCA. He was passionate about sharing his expertise in finance and business and helping others.
Family was everything to Tom. He adored his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Known as Big T to many, he had a big presence and an even bigger heart.
Tom is predeceased by his parents, Anne Horne and Myles Maher, and his brother, Paul Maher. He is survived by Belle, his wife of 65 years; his children, Thompson (Pamela Hain) and Jenna (Richard Silliman); his brothers, Myles and Denis; his grandchildren, Jesse, Kelsi, Caitlin, Thomas, Liza, Daniel and Taylor; and great-grandchildren, Adeline, Miles, Viktor, Maren Belle, Rafael and Oskar.
We will never forget our endless summers in Cape May with our Papa. The Maher family will host a celebration of life in the fall. In lieu of flowers, loved ones are asked to make a donation to the New Jersey Conservation Foundation at njconservation.org or American Cancer Society at cancer.org. Online condolences at donohuefuneralhome.com.
