Robert Paul Maes' Obituary
Robert Paul Maes, age 77, born 6/07/37 on a farm in Brighton, Colorado has passed away in his sleep after a long and brave battle with cancer. He was second youngest of 11 children born to the late Vicente and Andalecia Maes. He attended Manuel High School in Denver where he met the love of his life, Socorro Marlene Garcia. After graduation he joined the Coast Guard. Bob served four years in the United States Coast Guard and was stationed on the Farrallon Islands. He and Socorro were married in 1956 and lived on the island with their first child, Robin. They had 6 children in all. Upon finishing his tour of duty in the Coast Guard, Bob joined a union and became an apprentice cabinetmaker. He worked for Earlbaum’s Builders Cabinets for 25 years, until the owner, and a household name, Mr. Earlbaum, passed away and the business closed forever in 1990. Bob went on to open his own small cabinet shop with his son-in-law, John Buonanno, who affectionately coined the name, One Nail Bob. We have enjoyed the humor of his nickname over the years. Bob continued his craft until his retirement in 2004. Although officially retired, Bob could never really step away from his woodwork for very long, but when he did, he enjoyed boating and he travelled the world. Bob spent 29 years with Ada. Those were his happiest and carefree years. Ada was a wonderful woman. Our family thanks Rose for her loving care of our father during his last days. He is survived by his former wife and life-long friend, Socorro Maes McManus of Oakland, CA, his six children, Robin Maes Azzalina (Tom) of Pleasant Hill CA, Roslynn Maes Farro (Paul) of San Leandro, CA, Robert Maes (Christina) of Oakland, CA, Barry Maes (Pauline) of Oakland CA, Bruce Maes (Loretta) of Afghanistan, and Steven Maes of Oakland, CA. Bob will be greatly missed by his 10 grandchildren, Jennifer Buonanno Trujillo, Kyle Alden, Robert Maes, Jr., Elisa Maes, Angelina Maes, Socorro Maes, Michael Maes, Serafino Maes, Eileen Maes, and Barry Maes, Jr. He is also survived by sister, Josephine Trevino of Commerce City, Colorado, brother, Felix Maes of Denver, Colorado and sister, Priscilla Summers of Garden Grove, California. In addition, Bob had 9 great grandchildren: Allyssa Taylor, Vanessa Taylor, Arianna Trujillo, Gabriella Trujillo, Valentino Maes, Robert Elisha Maes, Monica Maes, Mia Rodriguez Maes and Makala Maes and many nieces and nephews who knew him and loved him. He enjoyed entertaining and would host many parties over his lifetime for family occasions, as he was adamant about observing the proprieties of special occasions. Visitation will be held from 4 pm – 8 pm, Friday, July 11, 2014 at Chimes Chapel at Chapel of the Chimes, 4499 Piedmont Ave., Oakland. Funeral Service will be held at 11 am, Saturday, July 12, 2014 at the Chimes Chapel. He surely will be missed.
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