John H. "Jack" Maher

John Henry Maher (Jack) was born to Henry and Mary Maher on October 29, 1939 in Kingman, Arizona and passed away on August 3, 2024 at home in Arroyo Grande. He spent his younger years in Needles, California where his father was manager of the railroad station. This was during the early years of World War II when Needles was a busy station, as there were training bases for soldiers nearby. Jack and his sister Margaret would sneak over to the training area (which they were forbidden to do) where the soldiers would give them gum and candy. The family moved to Ventura where Jack attended Holy Cross Elementary School and graduated from Santa Clara High School, where he was one of the “usual suspects.” He attended Ventura Junior College and graduated from Sacramento State with a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice.

Jack always knew he wanted to be in law enforcement. He started out at Ventura Police Department and then went to work at San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Department in 1970. He started as a patrol officer, then went to investigations and was promoted to sergeant and lieutenant. He also attended the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia.

Jack enjoyed horseback riding, hunting, fishing, camping, barbecuing, and travelling, as well as spending many happy times with friends and family. Later in retirement he and Janice started a business of welding, designing and creating metal garden art. Jack loved creating and was very artistic and clever putting together metal sculptures out of found objects. He was very talented in his welding and cutting all the designs by hand. They participated in art shows for a number of years.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Mary Maher, his sister Margaret Rodgers and brother Michael Maher. Jack is survived by his wife of forty years, Janice Maher. He is also survived by Lynne Hatfield, mother of his two daughters, Stacy (Keith Hanstad) and Cindy (Mike Reinwald) all of Ventura. He is also survived by stepson Chad Hoffman (Cory Bauer) of San Luis Obispo, stepdaughter Julianna Hoffman (Paul Tracey) of Paso Robles, and his sister-in-law Sally Maher of Hawaii. He is further survived by his five grandchildren Christy Olsen, Matthew Olsen, Elli Kreisberg (Spencer), Dominic Vacca (Brittany), Jake Reinwald, and thre great granddaughters, Stella Olsen, Sienna and Noa Kreisberg; and nephews John Michael Maher (Claire and son Michael) of Hawaii, Greg Secor of Simi Valley, and niece Mary Jane Secor of Galt.

Jack is also survived by the Robertson family, sister-in-law Frances Robertson and son Scott, brother in-law John Robertson (Nancy) and their three sons, Mark Robertson, Brian Robertson (Marisa) and their children (Michael, Mae and Miranda, and Gary Robertson (Amy) and their daughter, Maddie.

Jack felt so blessed in having loving relationships with all his and Janice’s extended families. A private memorial will be held sometime in the future.

The family thanks Sierra Vista Hospital, especially the ICU, Arroyo Grande Care and Rehab Center, and Central Coast Hospice.

Memorial donation in Jack’s memory can be made to Central Coast Hospice at 253 Granada, San Luis Obispo, Ca 93401, or a charity of your choice.

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