Mark Owen Maher

Mark Owen Maher of Calgary, Alberta, passed away on December 6, 2025, at age 67 years old, encircled by loving siblings and relatives.

Born April 2, 1958, in Sudbury, Ontario, Mark was the sixth of eight children to Murray and Phyllis Maher. He grew up in Sudbury, Ontario with his busy, often hectic family of 10 in a modest home on Norfolk Court. Mark enjoyed hanging out with friends while attending Churchill Elementary and later Nickel District High School. From an early age, Mark was known for his quiet intelligence and his somewhat “creepy” interest for insects and reptiles. While most kids ran from them, Mark wanted to bring them home including a pet tarantula and snakes. His curiosity, calm nature, and logical mind were already taking shape.

Mark was a naturally gifted thinker. Logical, steady, and quick-witted, he excelled academically, especially in math. After moving west to Alberta in 1979, he attended Red Deer College, where he consistently earned top marks especially in Calculus & Matrices. One story his family loves to retell is when a substitute college instructor accused him of cheating because no one could possibly score perfect marks that quickly. When the regular instructor returned, he simply said, “Oh, he absolutely can - he’s the one who sets the bell curve.” The substitute instructor apologized, and Mark, in his famously blunt humour, later said, “Geez, what kind of idiot would accuse me of something so stupid as that?” It was classic Mark - quiet, truthful, dryly funny, and always sharper than anyone expected.

Quiet by nature but rich in character, Mark was a man of his word. If he said he would do something, he did it. Mark shared many traits with his father: logical, dependable, observant, a strong competitor, and loved a good game of Euchre. To his family and friends, he was steady, trustworthy, and deeply loyal. His close friendships were lifelong: some he made through surveying, and some made in early childhood/adulthood including Beth Harvey who moved to Australia and yet the two maintained their friendship regardless of distance throughout decades of their lives.

Friends throughout the years describe him in ways that paint a picture of who he truly was:

“One of the most solid people I have ever met - he will be missed greatly.” Chris

“Kind, loving, and funny… always in the back corner, quick to mutter a comment under his breath.” Michael

“I loved that laugh of his.” Wanda

“A good guy - blessed to have known him.” Amanda

“A great friend with cherished memories. I will miss him.” Jeannie

“He would make me laugh how he wouldn’t say anything but would smirk and look at you with a glint in his eye from his peripheral vision.” Kent

Mark built a long and successful career in land surveying, becoming a respected Party Chief and Crew Chief. His exceptional ability to navigate dense forests and unfamiliar terrain laid the foundation for roads and communities across Ontario, Alberta, and the Northwest Territories. He was the kind of surveyor people trusted - skilled, precise, and unwavering in his standards.

Mark loved the northern communities the best - the lakes, the quiet, the fishing, the rugged beauty. He spent ten years in Marathon, Ontario with Tina Boulerice, whom he loved deeply, and found real happiness in the simple, peaceful rhythm of life there with her children and grandchildren.

Mark lived quietly but left a lasting impact. A steady presence whose absence will be felt in family gatherings, northern shorelines, and shared memories told with laughter.

Speaking about the last few minutes of his life, his sister Pamela (Maher) Merrell reported:

“Minutes after 9:00 p.m., his heavy drooped head lifted upward, and his eyes opened wide. I cannot describe the whitish blue color of his eyes at that moment, but they seemed to be reflecting or filled with or both with light that only he was seeing. A peaceful look of awe or wonderment reflected from his countenance during those seconds. Then his head drooped back down and peacefully took his last few breaths.”

Mark lived a quiet, private life. And he was, truly, a good man.

Mark is predeceased by his father Murray Maher, his mother Phyllis (Wilson) Maher, and his sister Deborah (Maher) Quaife.

Mark is survived by his siblings, who loved him deeply: Donna Quinton, Bill (Kathy) Maher, Gail (Steve) Boyd, Gordon Maher, Pamela (Daniel) Merrell, and Stephen (Vicki) Maher.

A Celebration of Mark's life will take place in the Spring 2026. Cremation has taken place at the Foothills Crematorium. Mark will be placed to rest in the Rocky View Garden of Peace Cemetery.