The unique impact of Jeffrey Scott Maher

Jeffrey Scott Maher. How can we possibly sum up such a unique existence in just a few short sentences?

Let’s give it a try.

He wasn’t dangerous. Just different.

He wasn’t childish. Just childlike.

He didn’t march to the beat of a different drummer. He preferred to dance, instead.

He wasn’t stubborn. He was steadfast, even once electing to keep his mustache rather than a high-paying job.

He was wise beyond his years, even when the years behind him began to pile up.

Outgoing yet reflective.

Bold yet sensitive.

A fierce competitor yet willing to share his wisdom with anyone who would ask.

He was our brother, our friend, our teammate and soulmate.

And now he has left us for a time. Jeff passed away the morning of September 25, 2019.

No more pain. No more tears. No more struggling to “be normal” in a world where normal no longer can be defined.

He is, finally, at peace.

Faith, hoops and love

His resumé would tell you something different, but Jeffrey Scott Maher wasn’t a college basketball coach. He was a mentor, adviser and role model to the collegians who had the privilege of taking the court with him.

Basketball was simply his platform for teaching life — and living it to the fullest.

He could be demanding in that role, yet never demeaning.

He could get in a player’s face, then invite the player to get into his car so he could help counsel and listen to him.

He knew the game, but he knew people even better.

He loved the strategy, but he loved his players even more.

The ball was simply a symbol of something much bigger, something much more profound.

It was his tool to teach how we all must bounce back from adversity.

Fall seven times, get back up eight.

Then do it again the next day.

And the day after that.

Let’s Celebrate

If Jeff has touched your spirit in any way, please join us this Friday, October 4, 2019, as we celebrate a life well-lived. Visitation with the family begins at 9 a.m. at St. Angela Merici Church in White Oak, Pa. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at the church at 10 a.m. Interment will take place at Jefferson Memorial Cemetery in Pleasant Hills. In lieu of flowers, a memorial contribution may be made to the family for a charity of their choice.

In addition to his family and friends, there are countless others who never met Jeff yet are thriving today because of his impact on us. Teach one, touch many. 

So back to the original question: Is it possible to sum up the unique existence of Jeffrey Scott Maher in just a few short sentences?

It isn’t, but perhaps it’s best we don’t anyway. A vibrant, continuously growing spirit isn’t meant to be contained in one place.

Instead, let’s remember Jeff as he would often describe himself — as a paradox, a mashup of contradictory ideas that reveal underlying, marvelous truths.

So let’s give that a try.

We mourn because we miss you deeply, Jeff.

But we smile because you are in a much better place.

And we thank you because you left this place much better for all of us.

One bounce at a time.