David Joseph Maher, also known as "Red", was born in Melrose in 1938, raised in Wakefield and had lived in Melrose since 1965. He was the loving son of the late Helen T. (Kelley) and Patrick J. Maher.

He attended St. Joseph's School in Wakefield, St. Mary's High School in Lynn, Bridgton Academy in Maine, followed by American International College in Springfield. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1959, serving in Germany and played for the US Army Hockey team in Europe until his honorable discharge in 1962.

He was a 3-sport athlete, a lifelong golfer, a skilled baseball player and a lover of hockey, especially the Montreal Canadiens. He also coached youth hockey and baseball, as well as being a hockey referee and Senior hockey player, for many years. Following doctor's orders, he finally hung up his skates at 77 years old.

After retiring from a lifelong career in Sales, he also worked part-time at Hugo's Appliance in Melrose up until 2022. He was a member of the Melrose Fish & Game Club, The Mt. Hood Inner Club, the VFW, the DAV, and St. Mary's Parish.

He was predeceased by his loving sisters, Helen Pretty, Elizabeth (Betty) & Reginald Sinclaire, Priscilla Maher and Joan& Richard L'Italien.

He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Rosemary (Lynn) Maher, his children: Kathleen Paynter and her husband Michael of Billerica, Joseph Maher and his wife Susan (Garofalo) of Melrose, Timothy Maher (Ret. Melrose P.D.) and his wife Kim (Pratt) of Melrose, Brian Maher and his wife Lisa (Stagliano) of Melrose, Kevin Maher and his wife Dorothy (Andreasen) of Melrose, his 10 grandchildren: Corrine Paynter, Patrick Maher, Marie Maher, Michael Maher, Christopher Maher, Matthew Maher, Andrew Maher, Meghan Maher, Brendan Maher, Alice Maher , brother-in law of the late Eleanor Lynn, William, Paul, Robert, Thomas, John, and Daniel Lynn. He will also be missed by many nieces, nephews, friends and neighbors.

Visiting Hours will be held on Tuesday, June 17th, 2025, from 4:00-7:00pm at the Gately Funeral Home, 79 W. Foster St., Melrose. A Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, June 18th, 2025 at 10:00am, at St. Mary's Church, 4 Herbert St., Melrose. Interment to follow the mass at Wyoming Cemetery, 205 Sylvan St., Melrose. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend.

In lieu of flowers, you can donate to the Francis Ouimet Scholarship Fund, 300 Arnold Palmer Blvd, Norton, MA 02766 for youth golf or to the Melrose Youth Hockey Association, PO Box 760945, Melrose, MA 02176.