Basic Information
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | William Aloysius Maher Jr. |
| Birth | June 8, 1921 |
| Birthplace | Weehawken, Hudson County, New Jersey, USA |
| Death | August 8, 1992 (age 71) |
| Place of Death | Westwood, Bergen County, New Jersey, USA |
| Burial | Westwood Cemetery and Mausoleum, Westwood, NJ |
| Parents | William Aloysius Maher Sr.; Mary Agnes O’Toole Maher |
| Siblings | Marjorie Marianna Martin; Zita V. Castle |
| Spouse | Julie L. Berman (m. 1951) |
| Marriage Location | Manhattan, New York City, New York |
| Children | Kathy Maher; William “Bill” Maher (b. January 20, 1956) |
| Heritage | Irish Catholic; family later blended Catholic and Jewish traditions |
| Primary Residence | River Vale, Bergen County, New Jersey |
| Occupation | Radio announcer; network news editor (New York area) |
Early Roots in New Jersey
Born on June 8, 1921, in Weehawken, a little village overlooking the Hudson River and Manhattan skyline, William Aloysius Maher Jr. was destined for a career in media. Early childhood in a Roman Catholic household of Irish-American parents was typical for mid-century New York families. He lived at Cliffside Park, Bergen County, in 1930, living close to the city’s pulse without sacrificing its suburban pace. He stayed with his parents until maturity, and the 1950 photo shows him in New Jersey, unmarried and prepping for life.
Family names were Irish, and two sisters, Marjorie and Zita, completed the household. William Jr. gained a sense of heritage from his home, led by William Sr. and Mary Agnes O’Toole Maher. The strict demands of journalism work require discipline and prudence, which are cultivated in this upbringing.
A Career Tuned to the Airwaves
Radio, his youth’s dominant medium and America’s household friend, shaped Maher’s career. His New York radio announcer and network news editor responsibilities demanded precise diction, steady nerves, and a keen editorial eye. Before digital safety nets, news editing required balancing speed and accuracy for live broadcasts or taped bulletins for millions.
The craft of radio news in the 1950s through the 1970s was part choreography, part triage—scripts marked in pencil, reels cued with precision, copy trimmed to the second. Maher’s work would have intersected with major headlines of the day, from elections to international crises, even if his own name stayed off the marquee. He chose the quiet lanes of media production, letting the story be the star. Colleagues in such roles were often the unseen architects of public understanding, and Maher’s tenure in that world suggests a career marked by reliability rather than notoriety. It supported an orderly, middle-class life in suburban New Jersey.
Home, Faith, and a Mixed Heritage
William married Julie L. Berman in Manhattan in 1951, combining Irish Catholic and Jewish Hungarian backgrounds. In River Vale, a Bergen County suburb, front yards and family rituals dominated daily life. The children were reared Catholic, but the family left church due to problems with doctrine, most notably birth control. This modest but profound shift reflected a mid-century American struggle between personal conscience and institutional ideology.
The household was steady and private. Julie worked as a nurse, the kind of vocation that brought both empathy and resilience into the home. Together, they raised two children: Kathy, the elder, who chose an educational path and a low public profile; and Bill, born on January 20, 1956, who would become a nationally known comedian and commentator. Their family story was not one of headline drama but of everyday balance: work, school, dinner, debate, sleep, repeat.
Children and Family Dynamics
Kathy, two years older, had a calm education career. She typically stays out of the public eye, save in family stories. Bill’s path changed drastically. He credits family dinner chats for initiating his interest in politics and becoming a political sceptic and comedian. His media-literate parents—a news editor father and a healthcare worker mother—gave him diagnostic and rhetorical advantages.
Religion and identity were handled lightly. The children were raised Catholic until the family retreated; Julie’s Jewish history was only discussed in their teens. Bill considered faith and tradition with scepticism based on experience and curiosity based on kitchen-table arguments.
Legacy, Mentions, and Memory
William Aloysius Maher Jr., 71, passed away in Westwood, New Jersey, on August 8, 1992. Westwood Cemetery and Mausoleum marked the end of his modest local life. He had few public obituaries because celebrity wasn’t common. However, his son’s work and infrequent mentions to his father’s radio career in interviews and podcasts continue his legacy.
Maher was an information artist in a time when the airwaves were the nation’s heartbeat. He shaped news without pursuing authority, working in the background. He kept the show going like a symphony sound engineer.
Life Chronology
| Year/Period | Milestone | Location/Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1921 | Birth on June 8 | Weehawken, Hudson County, New Jersey |
| 1930 | Childhood residence | Cliffside Park, Bergen County, New Jersey |
| 1950 | Early adulthood | Living with parents; unmarried |
| 1951 | Marriage to Julie L. Berman | Manhattan, New York City |
| ~1954 | Daughter born | Kathy Maher (exact date not publicly documented) |
| 1956 | Son born | William “Bill” Maher, January 20, New York City |
| 1950s–1980s | Broadcasting career | Radio announcer; network news editor in New York area |
| 1960s–1970s | Family religious shift | Reduced Catholic observance over doctrinal disagreements |
| Pre-1992 | Retirement | Private life in New Jersey |
| 1992 | Death on August 8 | Westwood, Bergen County, New Jersey; burial in local mausoleum |
Immediate Family Overview
| Name | Relation | Key Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| William A. Maher Sr. | Father | Irish-American; referred to as “Captain” | Military title noted in family records |
| Mary Agnes O’Toole Maher | Mother | Irish-American | Roman Catholic upbringing |
| Marjorie Marianna Martin | Sister | — | Limited public information |
| Zita V. Castle | Sister | — | Limited public information |
| Julie L. Berman | Spouse | Nurse | Jewish Hungarian heritage |
| Kathy Maher | Daughter | Educator | Keeps a private profile |
| William “Bill” Maher | Son | Comedian and commentator | Born January 20, 1956 |
FAQ
Who was William Aloysius Maher Jr.?
He was a mid-20th-century American radio announcer and network news editor, and the father of comedian Bill Maher.
Where was he born and where did he live?
He was born in Weehawken, New Jersey, and spent most of his life in Bergen County, including River Vale and Westwood.
What did he do for a living?
He worked in broadcasting as a radio announcer and network news editor in the New York area.
When did he marry and to whom?
He married Julie L. Berman in 1951 in Manhattan.
Did he have children?
Yes, two: Kathy Maher and William “Bill” Maher, born January 20, 1956.
What was his religious background?
He was raised Roman Catholic and initially raised his children Catholic, but the family later stepped away from regular church attendance.
Where is he buried?
He is interred at Westwood Cemetery and Mausoleum in Westwood, New Jersey.
Was he involved in controversies?
No notable public controversies are associated with him.
Did his career influence Bill Maher?
Yes, family discussions and a media-aware household are often cited as influences on Bill’s interest in politics and commentary.
Are there videos or recordings of him?
Dedicated recordings are scarce; he appears primarily through references in Bill Maher’s anecdotes rather than standalone media.
