Joseph Andrew Maestas

Joseph Andrew “Andy” Maestas was born at home in 1948 on a cold snowy November day in Longmont, Colorado to his mother, Pauline (Rivera) Maestas and father, Arturo Maestas. He was the youngest son, beloved by his two brothers and five sisters who showered him with adoration as the baby of the family.

As a child Andy lived in Johnstown until the Maestas family relocated to Longmont when he was 12 years old.

His entire life, Andy had a special connection with animals. When he was 6 years old visiting family in New Mexico with his mother, he was told by his Tia if he could catch one of the chickens he could keep it. Much to their amazement, he was successful. As a teenager, he had a pet racoon and was known to his loved ones as a dog-whisperer. His brother Art surrendered his dog to Andy when she noticeably preferred him.

Andy graduated from Longmont High School in 1966. He made many life-long friends who were dear to him. Some have gone before him, and some remain to grieve.

A profound music lover, Andy grew up listening to classic Motown, absorbing the soundtrack of the 50’s and 60’s as part of his soul. He could recite the names of songs along with the correlating musician with impressive precision his entire life.

Quick-witted with a brilliant sense of humor, Andy was gifted with making others laugh.

At the age of 20, Andy served in the U.S. Army, with the 5th Battalion, 46th Infantry Regiment, 198th Americal Brigade (23rd Infantry Division) stationed in Chu Lai, and fought for his country in the Vietnam war. He was a proud veteran and was honorably discharged on January 1,1975.

Extremely grateful to make it home from the war, Andy lived his life as a devout Catholic and never strayed from his faith.

He met his wife, Pamela (Johnson) Maestas in 1975, working at Nick’s Tavern with his future brother-in-law. Pam and Andy married in Louisville on July 16, 1977, at St. Louis Catholic Church. They spent 50-years together and he made her laugh every day. They settled down in Lyons, CO for 10-years to raise a family. They welcomed a son, Andrew “A.J.” in 1977, and a daughter, Angela in 1980.

Colorado experienced a recession in the late 80’s, prompting Andy to move his family to 29 Palms, California where he worked under a government contract building marine barracks. The three years the family lived there brought them closer than ever. They moved back to Lyons, CO in 1991, at which time Andy established Lyons Construction Stone Work.

During his career as a Stone Mason, Andy brought artistry and skill to a profession that requires attention to intricate detail coupled with intense physical labor. He was a force to be reckoned with and maintained physical strength his entire life. His masonry can be admired throughout Lyons, and surrounding areas. Notable masonry includes the Lyons Marquee, the old pharmacy on Main Street, and the Lyons Elementary School Archway (1993). Lavern Johnson personally recruited him to reconstruct the archway insisting a local mason be involved. Andy taught his son A.J. his artful trade and the two worked together for nearly thirty-years, known as a duo by many locals.

In the early 2000’s, Andy and his wife moved to their current home in Rabbit Mountain where Andy lived in rapt adoration of the nature and wildlife he considered to be some of God’s finest creations.

In 2013, Andy welcomed his grandson, Jack (Hale) falling in love with a kid who brought him immense joy. They spent hours together laughing and sharing a similar sense of humor.

Andy retired in 2020 and spent time taking care of the land and animals he loved so well. Every evening he filled fresh drinking water for the deer and elk to replenish themselves, praising each one with the same enthusiasm of a kid coming into contact with these animals for the first time. Where some people collect compost to reduce landfills, Andy collected all scraps of produce to set outside for the small creatures, telling his family: “Los pajoras y los conejos necesitan comer.” During the summers Andy could be found hunting for rocks, mowing the fields to protect his family from rattle snakes and the risk of fire, and praising each sunset.

Andy lived his life with honor and loved his family well. This includes two cats and two dogs along with a grand dog he loved to care for. All of his animals, his wife, two children and grandson will miss his tender devotion and believe he will be watching over them from now on.

He is preceded in death by his father and mother, Arturo and Pauline Maestas, his sister Flora Romero, and brother-in-law, Paul Warren. He is survived by his bothers; Art Maestas and Ivan (Paula) Maestas, his sisters; Cecelia Warren, Eufemia (Albert) Ornales, Beunellah Maestas, Pauline (Bob) Flori, and his brother-in-law Benny Romero, and numerous nephews and nieces.

A Rosary Service will be held Monday evening, November 9th at 6:00pm at Howe Mortuary located at 439 Coffman St. Longmont, CO 80503, followed by a Funeral Mass Tuesday morning, November 10th at 10:30am at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church located at 3791 Pike Rd. Longmont, CO 80503. A Celebration of Life will take place on Friday November 20th at 1:00pm at the American Legion Post #32 located at 315 S. Bowen St. Longmont, CO 80501