Paul Thomas Maher, son of Mary-Barbara Maher and the late Dr. Frederick J. Maher Jr., has passed away, in his home of many years in South Burlington, Vt. He was 65 years old.
Paul was born April 3, 1957, in New York City. He graduated from South Burlington High School, class of 1975, where he was a standout athlete, winning the state championship in the mile and the half-mile. He set state track records that held for many years. After studying at the University of Vermont and Lyndon State College, Paul embarked on a career in sales. For many summers, he shared his athletic passions with the beloved campers of Brown Ledge summer camp where he worked as a swim coach and developed a love for theater.
Health issues beset Paul in the later years of his life, making it difficult for him to work and devote time to the things he loved. Remaining an avid reader throughout, he was a fan of the science fiction genre, often encouraging his young nieces to read and keep their sense of wonder alive.
Helping to care for his aging parents in their last years in the family home, Paul remained a family man through all seasons of life. Paul is survived by his mother, Mary-Barbara Maher; his siblings, Elizabeth H. of Manhattan, N.Y.; Michael, and his wife, Mieneke, of Burlington, and their daughters, Olivia, Ilona and Adrianna; Matthew and his wife, Li-Li Yang, of Arlington, Mass.; and his best friend of 50 years, Stephen Foley. He was predeceased by his youngest brother, James Patrick Maher in 2011.
A Catholic funeral mass will be celebrated in his honor on Monday, September 19, at 3:00 p.m. at Saint John Vianney Church, 160 Hinesburg Rd., South Burlington, VT. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Love Unconditional, Inc., P.O. Box 357 Hopkinton, MA 01748. Love Unconditional is a nonprofit ministry partnership caring for the poor and truly vulnerable in the Dominican Republic.
This article appears in The Performing Arts Preview 2022.
Paul was a lovely and gifted man, admired and cared about by many of the young people he coached and many who shared the stage with him in countless summer theatre productions.
Paul was a great BLC friend of mine. I’ll always remember, “face cramps” and “who wants a beer”
Lord Jesus Christ, son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.
Paula years ar Briwn Ledge Camp were the best summers of his life. His presence at the dock kept it lively and fun. I think of him now, with Fred and Twyla, laughing and enjoying every day. His last few years were hard on Paul, our best hope is that he has now found peace knowing that so many people have fond memories of him. Let’s keep his memory in our thoughts.
I have so many fond memories of Paul. He was a young counselor at Brown Ledge when I started there at the age of 9. I swam all time time, so he was one of my favorite counselors. He was always so fun and willing to goof around with us kids. He had these massive strong calf muscles. He told us that he had metal plates in his calves. Paul was also loved on the stage. We acted in many plays together at Brown Ledge.
On stage, as well as on the swimming dock he had this “signature” stance. He would roll back on his heels and up on his toes. (This probably accounted for his strong calves.). He would do the same on stage. This was so recognizable that when he was playing a character on stage at Brown Ledge with an identical brother (I think it was in “Lend Me a Tenor”) all the other actor had to do was come out on stage and rock back and forth on his heels, and everyone at camp recognized this as “Paul’s signature.”
Later I moved to VT, to start a theatre company, and Paul performed in “Theatre Factory” shows with me for many years. He loved acting and I’m glad I got to hang out with him for so many years doing theatre and sharing many laughs.
I’m so sorry to hear of Paul’s passing.
Mike, Mieneke, and girls. So sorry to see you lost Paul. He was a great guy, one who young people could look up to and admire. May God give you comfort.
So sorry to hear this news. I have fond memories of performing with him in several Theatre Factory productions in Burlington in the late-’90s.
Paul was a great man. He had the biggest heart and had a great talent. What a wonderful actor and human being. I only have wonderful memories of him. Chief among them were his trips to NY at reunion time. He would pack up a crew from Vermont and make it every year. He was the best tour guide that there ever was. You are missed my brother.