Dr. Peter Michael Maher (March 4th, 1940 – July 17, 2022) passed peacefully, surrounded by loved ones. Husband to Illa, his fiercely loving wife of 58 years, devoted father to Andrea, Allison, and Jenny, elder brother to Dennis, lifelong best-friend to Murray Caplan, gentle and loving grandfather to Michael, Luka, Isobel, Kane, Joshua, Jacob, Leithen, and Tate. Born and raised in North Battleford, Mike earned his Bachelor’s in Chemical Engineering from the University of Saskatchewan, his MBA from the University of Western Ontario, and his Ph.D. from Northwestern University. Two years into teaching, his single engine plane crashed. Doctors thought he would never walk or see again. But through resilience that stretches the imagination, he was leading his daughters on evening bike rides a year later. Within three years, he not only returned to teaching, but became the Dean of Commerce at the University of Saskatchewan. Mike made his home at the University of Calgary, where he served as Dean of the Faculty of Management for 18 years. Colleagues describe him as a force of nature, a brilliant strategic mind who gave himself to countless companies, charities, and heads of states. He never met a student or faculty member he would not support, and went first to those who were disadvantaged or struggling. A life-long prankster, a lover of red wine, quick-witted and quick to laugh, Mike brought an infectious joy to all he met. His happiest moments were at Jackfish Lake, sitting on the porch watching the sunset, teaching his girls to waterski, or putsing with his grandkids in the shed. More than anything, he was devoted to his family. Mike was proud of his three girls and all of his grandchildren, ever brimming with love.

The family would like to thank Drs. Holtzhausen and Campbell and all the nurses and staff on the 3rd floor medical units at BUH for their care and kindness. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Palliative Care Unit at the Battleford Union Hospital or to the Mike and Illa Maher Bursary at the University of Calgary.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, July 23, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. at Notre Dame de Lourdes Roman Catholic Church with Father Sebastian Kunnath as celebrant.  Interment will follow at the North Battleford City Cemetery.

Condolences for the family can be made at www.eternalmemoriesfuneral.ca Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Eternal Memories Funeral Service & Crematorium – Vanessa Macnab Funeral Director.

• Date : 2022-07-19
• Location : Calgary, AB