"Bill" William Maas

In Loving Memory......... William ("Bill") C. Maas...........September 22, 1920- January 21, 2010. Born in Hamilton to William and Mary Maas, nee Ryan. Brother to Frank, John and Sheila. He was raised in the west end, grew up on Locke St, played in Victoria Park.He joined the service and served overseas in the Second World War. When he returned home he met Mom, apparently she asked him for a nickel for the jukebox, love at first sight, the rest is history as they say. They were married by the Rt. Rev. J.A. O'Brien at the Cathedral of Christ the King on June 17th, 1950. There wedding party consisted of Mom's sister Doreen Lyle and Agnes Sylvester, Wilbert Lyle and Charles Maguire. Sheila Maas was the Maid of Honor and John Maas was the Bestman. They honeymooned in Cleveland, Ohio.They rented a house in the north end. In October of 1951 their first child was born, Michael Anthony. The following year in December 1952 a daughter, Teresa Marie was born. With their family growing it was time to find a house of their own, so on December 30, 1952 they took possession and moved into the first home. The only one they would ever own. They lived and raised and watched the children grow at 446 Paling Avenue in Hamilton's east end. The house was a three bedroom, 1 bathroom 1-1/2 storey home. It was purchased for $8000.00 and the mortgage payment was $55.00 per month. Bill continued to work at Joyce and Smith's as an electro steel plater, 6 days a week, 10 hours a day. Mom quite her job at Tuckett's Tobacco to be a stay home mom after the birth of Michael. As the years passed the family grew and grew with the addition of David Frances, Catherine Ann, Jason, Gregory, Andrew Vincent, Mary Angela, Frances Bernadette, Andrea Chistine and Gabrielle. The home was always full, never a dull moment. Mom baked and did laundry everyday. We all attended Holy Family School and continued on to High School, some to college and University. Mom and Dad were very proud of the fact that we all have successful careers. Bill loved the rodeo, baseball and the movies. Mom and him went to the Calgary Stampede on three separate occassions, Bill love to go to the local fairs to see the rodeo. He loved to wear his cowboy clothes, hats, shirts, boots and belt buckles, of which he had many. Bill never rode a horse, shot a rifle or roped a cow dispite the fact that his nickname was Bronco.Bill was a huge New York Yankees fan and in later years a fan of the Toronto Blue Jays. He once again loved to dress the part with team shirts, hats and Jackets. Once mistaken for a retired New York Yankee he actual sat in the stands and signed autographs. He not only liked the big leagues he also like minor baseball especially when his kids and grandkids were playing. He would take the bus all over the city to watch them play.Bill was a devoted Roman Catholic, a member of Holy Family Church for over 57 years. An usher, a reader and a member of the Holy Name of Jesus Society. He prayed the rosary everyday.He will be remembered as a quiet man, rarely engaging in small talk or idle chatter. He kept his opinions to himself. Bill outlived his loving wife, Eileen by eight years and missed her everyday. They were married for 51 years and he never left the house or came home without giving her a kiss. He is survivedby all eleven of his children and fourteen grandchildren as well as his sister Sheila. He will be truly missed, but we take pleasure in knowing that he and Mom are together again. Rest in Peace.