Maximo M. Perez

Max was born on November 18, 1927 in Tanauan Batangas, Philippines, to Victoria Moncayo and Melecio Perez. He was the sixth of seven children, and the last of the living siblings.

Max often recounted memories of his childhood. He rose from very humble beginnings where his parents’ income was earned by selling bottle caps and salt. He recalled how their diet would mainly consist of mostly rice with soy sauce and dried fish. And on special occasions, they would have nilagang manok (boiled chicken). Being a family of nine, he even had to wear his sister’s dress to school when it came time for him to attend.

Having been elected as the President of the student body in high school, he was selected to be the Valedictorian and, therefore, deliver a farewell speech during the graduation ceremony. His father asked if he would mind not doing it as he was unable to afford a new suit (which was required) for him. Max understood, but eventually, his father surprised him with one. Thus, his ‘infamous speech’ was written. It began with “It is indeed a calamity of unmitigated propensity….” It was a speech that shed hope through faith, especially in times of turmoil.

Eventually, his parents were able to afford to set up a small grocery shop, and that’s where Max found his love of numbers. When it came time for college, he asked his parents to sign him up for engineering, but since they wanted Max to become a doctor, they lied and told him that the engineering courses were all booked! Thankfully, his parents knew what was best for him as he found his niche as a medical practitioner. His passion for ‘helping through healing’ continued until his retirement age of 65.

Max met his wife, Mila, on a blind date. Her original date was unable to make it to a social event, and he asked his friend, Max, to take his place. And the rest is ‘history’. While fulfilling his residency in Albany, New York, he visited Mila in New Jersey, while she was interning as a nurse in Margaret Hague Hospital. Eventually, he was hired as an internist at Rogers Memorial Hospital (later called Capitol Hill Hospital) in DC, and then married Mila on May 3, 1958.

In 1962, with two children and one on the way, Max was asked to go back to the Philippines as his father was very ill. During his father’s long-term illness, he decided to stay and practice at his home town by having a Perez Clinic constructed adjacent to his home and his mother’s candy shop. In his clinic, he was a doctor of all disciplines: an OB/GYN, a neurologist, a surgeon… whatever was needed, he practiced. With his wife’s risk-taking drive, he also delved into other businesses, including opening up a café, which later grew to become a restaurant; a barber shop; and a hotel.

Ten years later, Martial Law was declared in the Philippines, and his yearning to go back to the US to provide better education for the children and a better life for the family finally came into reality in 1974. He was offered a job at Rogers Memorial Hospital.

The Perez family initially moved in with Max’s best friend, Raymundo Alfonso (affectionately named ‘Uncle Ray’), in Manassas, Virginia, until Max purchased his first home in Oxon Hill, Maryland. His family later moved to Silver Spring, Maryland, and he was eventually promoted to become the Chief Director of the Emergency Unit at Capitol Hill Hospital.

In addition to his obligations to treat patients in different hospitals in the DMV area, he also set up a private practice employing his wife (nurse) and daughters (part-time admin assistants, as needed). His first office was established in the late 1970’s at 8th Street, NE and then later at Martin Luther King Avenue, SE, Washington, DC. He also served as the medical doctor for the Laurel Raceway in Laurel, MD and Rosecroft Raceway in Fort Washington, Maryland.

As hard-working as he was, he still devoted most of his free time with family. He was hands-on with his children’s homework, he was an avid cook (most memorable was his Sunday brunches), and he was a handyman indoors, gardener outdoors. To his grandchildren, he was known to be a creative and skillful storyteller, not knowing whether stories told were true or not.

After God and his wife, Max’s true love was mahjong. He would never turn down an invitation to play the game. His interests also included traveling, watching sports on TV (football was his favorite), karaoking, cooking and reading newspapers. During their 40's and 50's, Max and Mila were also very socially active at the OA Club (Over Age/Over Acting Club), whereby members engaged in all sorts of monthly festive get-togethers.

Max never sought to be in the limelight. He was a humble, God-fearing and compassionate man. His faith in God was instilled in his children not by force, but by example. His unfaltering faith was strengthened during his term as a member of the Knights of Columbus in Tanauan Batangas, and remained unwavered, even during his last years of compounded illnesses.

Everyone who ever knew or met Max has only kind words to say about him… everyone. He was as genuine and unpretentious to others as he was true to himself. He had a quiet, loving and gentle spirit, yet his compassion and generosity to relatives, friends, patients and strangers were powerfully overwhelming.

Max is survived by his wife, Milagros, his children Mimi (m. Felipe Afable), Marites (m. Daniel Gabuten), Marlene (m. Robert Douglas), Marichu (m. Victor Iglesias), Myrna, Maria (m. Soheil Negabat) and Michael; grandchildren Christopher Douglas, Kristine Allen, Kathleen Carroll, Alexander Douglas, Justin Gabuten, Max Iglesias and Joseph Iglesias; great grandchildren TJ Carroll and Caden Allen; and four legged loved ones Tate, Deacon, Lucee and Louie.

Special thanks to all of those who cared for our beloved Max during his illness: Ms. Rosie Salviejo, Shulet, Glory, Virgie, Odette and Kelly, Father Tony and Jean; Collingswood Nursing and Rehabilitation Center; Springbrook Center, and Holy Cross Hospital.

Viewing is scheduled on Friday, January 9th, from 2p-4 pm and 6p-8 pm at Hines-Rinaldi Funeral Home. Light refreshments will be served. A Memorial Mass will then be held on Saturday, January 10th at 11 am, and all are welcomed to join us at Hollywood East Café in Wheaton, MD, following the service (approximately 1 pm).

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the American Kidney Fund: “Your donation helps ensure patients have access to lifesaving care in their fight for survival. Your gift also helps empower people at risk for kidney disease to prevent it in their lives and the lives of those they love. Your donation is not just a gift, it’s an investment in others’ lives."