Maher family
By Liam Silva Grandson to William Maher
James and mary
My great-grandparents both grew up in Kilkenny located in southeastern Ireland. Marry Ronnan Maher was born in 1902 and James Joseph Maher was born in 1899. They came together to New York for an opportunity to start a new life. They came through Elis Island in 1925. Shortly after, Mary got a job as a maid and James got a job as a delivery driver for a bakery. They settled into a small apartment and married in 1927. They had seven children together Barbara, James, Edward, Patrick, Thomas, Robert, and William. Although they could not afford luxuries, they provided a good home and education for their children.
james
James grew up on a small farm with his five brothers. When it came time to leave, the six brothers drew sticks to determine who would take care of their parents and stay in Ireland. Nicholas after whom I take my middle name drew the shortest stick and had to stay on the farm and take care of the parents. Tragically he took his own life after they passed.
mary
Mary grew up on her family's farm. In the second grade, she was playing with a protestant friend when her friend's father was shot in the head by a member of the IRA in front of them. The IRA or the Provisional Irish Republican Army was a terrorist organization fighting for the liberation of Northern Ireland from England.
The journey
Leaving Ireland there were two ships, one heading towards New York and one heading towards Australia. Four of James' brothers went to Australia and two of the brothers went to New York. It was a split-second decision leading to thousands of miles of separation. James and Mary left from Waterford Ireland together. The journey took two weeks across the Atlantic. They rode in the bottom compartments of a ship. Their living quarters were extremely small, but they remained hopeful for what waited for them in New York.
CHildren and life in new york
William and bob
james Jr.
Brooklyn
Brooklyn in the 1920s was a very optimistic environment. Although James and Mary had very little money, seven children, and lived above a bar, the opportunity to climb the social ladder gave them hope.
education
James and Mary took their children's education very seriously, Although they did not receive higher education themselves. with six out of seven children going to college. My grandfather William and his twin Robert both became electrical engineers. James became an actuary. Thomas achieved his doctorate in chemical engineering and taught at Syracuse University. Patrick was the CEO of a financial firm.
EDward
Edward the third oldest sadly was murdered by a drunk off-duty police officer. He was climbing down a fire escape from his girlfriend's house when he was shot five times in the back. There were no repercussions for the police officer. The Maher faced discrimination and unjust treatment for their race. They were shamed by their community and the church for Edwards's killing.
William Maher
My grandfather William Maher was born in 1936 to James and Mary Maher. He grew up in their Brooklyn apartment. He enjoyed playing baseball in the alleyways in New York and listening to the Brooklyn Dodgers games on the radio. He attended a Test in high school and Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute now NYU. He had to work at a tin can company to pay for college. Eventually, he received his bachelor's in electrical engineering. He moved to Watertown MA in 1958 for a job opportunity at GTE. He had five dollars to his name and could barely afford food. He needed an advance on his first check to get by. It was at GTE Where he met his wife Susanne. He spotted her Blessed Mother medal and asked her out on a date. They went to Needham Bowl Away after work. Shortly after they married in 1959.
Susanne Maher and Her father Thomas Gormley
Susanne Maher
Susanne Maher born in 1942 Grew up in West Roxbury. Her father Thomas Gormley was a Boston police officer Who worked on the Long Wharf. Her mother worked for the Mbta.
William Maher and Children
Busing
In 1961 William and Susanne bought their first house in West Roxbury and had their first daughter. They had 6 children between 1961 and 1970 Maureen, William, Susanne, Thomas, Margaret, and Janet. in 1974 the U.S. District Court of Massachusetts required busing of children through the inner city of Boston. They received notice Janet would bussed to Roxbury for her kindergarten year. Racial tensions due to desegregation caused violence within the Boston Area including racial protests and riots. William and Susanne were fearful for their daughter's safety although they did not want to leave Boston in 1976 they moved to Norwood MA
Work in enginering
William Maher worked on submarines during the Vietnam war. He helped design and create advanced submarine communication systems and missile interception systems. Bob Maher was working for a company that was contracted by NASA and he did work on the Eagle module used in the moon landing.
Food and culture
food
Some traditional Irish foods are beef stew, shepherd's pie, bacon and cabbage, white pudding, and various potato dishes. In Brooklyn The Mahers would enjoy a traditional Irish meal every Sunday night after attending church.
culture
Irish Roman Catholic tradition within Ireland runs very deep originating when St Patrick came to Ireland in 433 AD. Although Christians attempted to eradicate Celtic paganism, The culture and the art in Ireland are heavily influenced by Celtic traditions. This combination produces a unique and beautiful culture. The Maher and Gormley families were devoted Catholics. James, Mary, William, and Susanne were committed to attending daily mass. Boston was known as the most Catholic city in the nation in the 20th century. This was largely because of the influx of Irish immigrants.
