I have such wonderful and happy memories of Maury from my childhood on to adulthood. When Maury and June first moved in, my friends and I were worried that the new neighbor might not let us play baseball in the cul de sac. We tried anyway, and one day the new man with a beard and aviator sunglasses came out to talk to us. I remember thinking "Oh no, we are in trouble and we will never play baseball here again!" Instead Maury made all of us kids laugh by saying "The first person who breaks one of my windows gets a hundred bucks!" And knowing Maury as long as I did he probably would have given us a congratulatory $100 for breaking his window...not sure how June would have felt about that!

But that was Maury: kind, generous, and giving. And he was a heck of a carpenter! I remember him working on our house, remodeling the kitchen, bathroom, and basement. He was always so precise and all of the work he did was so wonderful. It's kind of cool to still go to my mom's house where I grew up and see a mark that Maury left in his craftsmanship. Often times I remember Maury sitting on the bed of his old truck drinking a beer and chain smoking cigarettes. He would always ask about how I was doing and we had great chats. And he was so kind to my grandfather who loved Maury. Maury always asked about him up to the day my grandpa died. And my grandpa always asked about Maury. There were many times my grandpa needed help and Maury was right there like an uncle right across the street whenever we needed him. One huge project that Maury did was helping my grandfather fence in his backyard garden. Deer always ate all of the vegetable, so Maury decided to put some posts in, and I helped him put that garden fence in. It was always fun hanging out with him.

I remember when I was a kid, Maury took my friends and me fishing a few times and afterward he would buy us ice cream. I'm pretty sure he took me and my sisters to the beach a few times as well. He was just always so kind and helpful.

Then during my pop-punk music phase in high school where I had a band, Maury shared with me his Fugazi tape, to show me the punk rock music of his era and perhaps influence our style. I didn't have the heart to tell him that I wasn't a fan, but looking back in it now, the music I played wasn't that great either. In fact the music I played sucked so we were even. I always smile when I remember that...

Then when I was in college, I began a huge landscaping project at my mom's and without asking, Maury came over one day and helped me figure out how to level the bricks. I didn't even ask. He just came over and offered a helping hand. He was the best that way.

And another time when my car needed repair, Maury and June so generously paid for my car repair. That's the type of people Maury and June are...

And then Maury's health turned and I moved away. Life got busy and I didn't get to see him very often. In the back of my mind I was afraid each time I saw him it would be the last but I had hope Maury would pull through. I feel terrible that I did not make a more focused effort over the years to see this wonderful man who showed me and my family such kindness.

My last memory of Maury was outside his house with June, after he had his leg amputated. He was in a wheelchair and seemed a bit down. Understandably so. But I figured he would get used to a new style of life and would hopefully do better in Florida, as that was the plan... so I figured I would see him again, but alas, he is not with us anymore.

Maury's memory lives on with June and very much so with me, my mom, and my sisters who are all sad at the loss of our dear friend and "uncle" Maurice. He was such a wonderful gift. I like to think that he and my grandpa are finally sitting together and conversing in heaven without the need of a translator. Rest In Peace, Maury. You are and will be missed.

With love,
Aleks

June -- Am so very sorry to hear about your husband's passing.  Sending thoughts and prayers your way.

June, Marc, Erin & Anne.  I am so sorry for your loss and my heart hurts for you all.  I believe that Maury loved you all so much and each of you made his life special.  If you need anything let me know. Love you all

Maggie

OBITUARY

Maurice Rowley

May 28, 1960 – February 12, 2018

Wulff Woodbury Funeral Home

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