Maher Dr James Patrick
| Type of person | Individual |
|---|---|
| Principal occupation | Doctor |
| Date of death | 9 Nov 1912 |
| Place of death | Gawler |
MAHER Dr J P
General regret was felt in the town of Gawler and surrounding districts when it became known that Dr. James Patrick Maher had died suddenly on 9th November 1912. The doctor had suffered from bronchial asthma for some time, but he was thought to be improving. He was exceptionally well on Thursday, but on Friday he was seized with heart trouble and spasms, which ultimately proved fatal on Saturday evening.
His genial and happy manner made the deceased gentleman a great favourite in all circles. By the poor he was simply idolised, and many are the acts of kindness which could be recounted by the public. In him the poor have lost a friend, and not only the poor, but the whole town and its far outlying districts. He was not long amongst us before his kindness of heart and gentle manner, combined with his wonderful skill as a physician and surgeon, won for him many friends and a name in his profession second to none in the Commonwealth. He will be remembered in the prayers of many mourners.
It is 22 years since Dr Maher settled in Gawler. The H.A.C.B. Society then elected him as their surgeon and had his valued services up to the time of his death. He was also surgeon to the societies of the Druids, Athenians, Oddfellows, Foresters and Rechabites, as well as doctor to the poor for the municipality of Gawler and districts of Mudla Wirra South and Munno Para East, and a member of the Hutchinson Hospital Board.
The body was removed to the church before 9 o’clock Mass, on Monday morning, where it was met by the Very Rev. T. F. O’Neill, P.P., and Prior Power, O.C.C. (Port Adelaide), and placed in front of the high altar on the catafalque, the “De Profundis” being recited and the church was appropriately draped for the ceremony by the Sisters. There was an unusually large congregation, testifying to the esteem in which the deceased was held by them. Mass was celebrated by the Very Rev. Father O’Neill, after which Absolution was given. During the time the body remained in the church members of the St Vincent de Paul Society and the school children recited the Rosery for the soul of the deceased. Long before 3 o’clock, the appointed time for the people assembled in and around the church. At the fixed time, Father O’Neill, assisted by Prior Power, O.C.C., and Father Brady, conducted the first portion of the funeral service. The members of the H.A.C.B.S. who were pallbearers carried the coffin to the hearse, when a start was made for the cemetery. The members of the H.A.O.D. also marched. The funeral was one of the largest ever seen in the district. It was representative of all classes of the community and showed the high esteem in which the late doctor was held by, not only his own co-religionists, but by members of all denominations. All the medical men of the town, by their presence, testified to the great regard in which he was held by the medical profession. The three priests then completed the burial service at the graveside, Willaston. Fr. O’Neill, who was in constant attendance on Dr. Maher during his illness, was present at his happy death, and administered the last rites of the Holy Church.
Dr. Maher expressly wished his cousin, Dr. Tobin (who had been practising with him for nearly three years), to carry on his practice, and he will continue to do so. The greatest sympathy is felt for Mrs. Pauline Maher and the immediate relatives in their great trouble.
Research: Gawler National Trust Volunteers
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