Family, friends, former hockey players and generations of Flames fans will gather Friday to celebrate the life of Peter Maher. It’s a day to say goodbye to a man whose voice became part of the soundtrack of Flames hockey. Maher’s celebration of life will take place in the afternoon at First Alliance Church. It’s being called “the final ‘yeah baby.’” Maher spent more than three decades behind the microphone, calling 2,954 games for the Flames. He was the original radio voice for the Flames in 1980 after three seasons calling games for the Toronto Maple Leafs. He was behind the mic for some of the most memorable moments in franchise history, including the Flames’ 1989 Stanley Cup championship. He was also heavily involved in the community, hosting and supporting charity events throughout his career. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2006 and retired in 2014. The Flames named their radio broadcast booth at the Saddledome after him and created the Peter Maher Award. It’s given to the Flames player who best represents the qualities Maher was known for: sincerity, integrity, dedication and respect. Maher’s celebration of life will be held at First Alliance Church, but it will also be livestreamed starting at 2:30 p.m. His family says memorial tributes can also be made directly to the Alzheimer Society of Calgary. Maher was 79 years old.
