WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Paul Joseph Maher, MD, 77, of Williamstown passed away on July 1, 2018, at his home. 

He was born in Concord, Mass., on October 13, 1940, a son of the late Lawrence and Helen (Volmer) Maher. As a youth, he was an accomplished Boy Scout and was sworn in as an Eagle Scout at the age of 13, notably one of the youngest in the country ever raised to Eagle rank.  Paul graduated from Newington High School in Newington, Conn., in 1958 and from Fairfield University in Fairfield, Conn., in 1962. Dr. Maher graduated from Jefferson Medical College in 1966. 

Paul served in the United States Army, with duty in the Health Services Command, achieving the rank of Colonel. He served active duty from 1966 to 1975 at Fort Dix, Fort Sam Houston, Fort Gordon and Fort Carson. Dr. Maher also served with the Army Reserves from 1975 to 2000 and was awarded the National Defense Service and Army Commendation Medals.

In 1975, Paul moved with his family to Williamstown, where he resided for nearly 43 years. He established his private Ear, Nose and Throat medical practice in North Adams, Mass., and Bennington, Vt., retiring in 2011.  After retiring from his private practice, he was a physician at the Veterans Affairs clinic in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. He was a communicant of St's Patrick and Raphael Church in Williamstown. 

He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed golfing, skiing, camping, gardening and hiking. He travelled the world and was known as a passionate family man, friend and dog lover to all who knew him.

Paul will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his wife Marjorie (MacLelland) Wylde; his three children, Maureen A. Maher and partner Philip Bottone of Sterling, Mass., John P. Maher and fiancée Diana Maddock of Sudbury, Mass., Brenda C. Maher of Phoenix, Ariz., and Marjorie’s son, Jeffrey R. Wylde of Brooklyn, N.Y.; seven grandchildren, Ryan K. Burns, Liam P. Burns, Riley E. Burns, Drew A. McIntyre, Sydney E. Maher Singleton, Elianna M. Bottone and Ava S. Bottone; as well as one sister, Janis Richtmyer of The Villages, Fla.

Funeral notice: A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday, July 19, 2018, at 11 a.m. at St's Patrick and Raphael Church in Williamstown. Burial with full military honors will follow in Eastlawn Cemetery. 

Calling hours at the Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna Home for Funerals, West Chapel, 521 West Main St., North Adams, Mass., are Wednesday July 18, 2018, from 4 to 7 p.m. Memorial donations may be made to the Berkshire Humane Society or to the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts through the funeral home.