Our beloved George Michael Maher passed away surrounded by family on Thursday, May 1, 2025, in Jacksonville, FL following complications of a heart attack. He was 69 years old. Though he left this Earth too soon, he affected every person with whom he interacted. He lived life with love, dedication, and purpose.

George was born on May 7, 1955, in Chicago, IL, to George A. and Lorraine Maher. Growing up on the south side of Chicago, he attended school through the local Catholic education system and graduated Marist High School in 1973. He then continued his education at the University of Illinois and graduated with a Bachelor's in Science in 1977.  Inspired by the military service of many family members, he decided to pursue a career in military medicine and was awarded a scholarship to attend medical school and serve in the US Army Medical Corps. Following his grandfather's footsteps, Thomas Francis Maher, he attended medical school at the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine and graduated in 1982.

Through the Army, he completed his pediatric residency in 1985 at Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu, HI. After practicing as a general pediatrician, he found his true passion and completed a fellowship in pediatric hematology/oncology at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington DC in 1991. During his time in the Army, he had the privilege of serving at Bassett Army Hospital (Ft. Wainwright, Alaska), Bleachfield Army Hospital (Ft. Campbell, KY), and Fitzsimons Army Medical Center (Colorado).

After serving 11 years in the Army, he pursued a civilian career. George spent 3 years as a staff pediatric hematologist/oncologist at the Michigan State University Kalamazoo Center for Medial Studies. Next, George spent 16 years on staff at Memorial Children's Hospital in South Bend, IN where his positions included Medical Director of the Children's Hospital and Pediatric Clinical Research as well as Chief of the Pediatric Department. Finally, he spent 10 years as staff and teaching faculty at Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls, SD. He also held the position of Chief of the division of pediatric hematology/oncology. After a brief retirement, George did locum tenens work, which involved him traveling around the country temporarily filling in as a staff pediatric hematologist/oncologist. While working a tenens job in Macon, GA, he suffered his heart attack.

While in the Army, he met the love of his life, Sue Ann Poock, who was an Army Pediatric Nurse. They were married on October 13, 1990, in Washington DC. They had two children, Megan Elizabeth on April 25, 1993, and Nicholas Patrick on November 7, 1996. Inspired by their father's passion for the medical field, both of his children pursued medical careers as physicians.

While his family and career were his two biggest priorities, he also enjoyed various pursuits including: hiking, camping, jogging, baseball, reading, traveling and New York Times crossword puzzles.  Mostly, George loved spending time outdoors.  During the weekends, you could find him on the golf course, hiking in the Black Hills, or taking his dog, Murphy, to fun places for a long walk.

Grateful for having shared his life are his survivors; his wife, Sue; children Megan (Sean), Nick; siblings, Nancy (Tony), Brian (Patty), Patrick (Michelle), Linda (Sam), Bill; and his beloved miniature goldendoodle, Murphy. He was preceded in death by his parents.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Make-a-Wish Foundation (1400 West 17th Street Sioux Falls, SD 57104. Phone: 605-335-8000) and/or the Ronald McDonald House of Sioux Falls (825 S Lake Ave Sioux Falls, SD 57104. Phone: 605-336-6398).

We will gather to celebrate his life from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm on Saturday, May 10, 2025, with a short prayer service beginning at 3:00 pm, at Miller Southside Chapel, 7400 S. Minnesota Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD.