Louis B. Maietta Sr
February 3, 1936 ~ January 25, 2014
SOUTH PORTLAND - Louis B. Maietta Sr., 77, of Walnut Street in South Portland, died peacefully on Saturday, January 25, 2014 following a long and courageous battle with cancer. His loving family was by his side. Louie was born in Portland, Maine on February 3, 1936 the son of Aniello and Saveria Tenerillo Maietta. He attended local schools. After leaving school in the 7th grade Louie went to work for his Brother's Jim Phil at their meat market on Washington Ave in Portland. He Married his childhood sweetheart Roberta (Bobbi) L. Tinsman November 13, 1954. Later he worked for Eastern Oil, Cooks Concrete, Dirigo Builders, Walter Milletts, painting nights and weekends after work to put food on the table for his 8 sons. In 1968 Louie Bobbi started Maietta Construction, Inc , with the help of Bobbi's father Robert Tinsman. Starting out with 1 dump truck, 1 bull dozer 1 front end loader with a backhoe attachment and 5 employees. Over the years he grew the company to 150 employees who nick named him "Big Lou", a name that has stuck with him ever since. Some of his best memories were working with Gee Erskine, South Portland Public Works Director, on jobs that they would do together, getting in the ditches themselves as well as doing projects that needed to be done even if there wasn't money in the budget to do them. He enjoyed doing things like rebuilding baseball fields, supplying equipment to dig out fire hydrants after big snow storms, donating gravel to extend the greenbelt walkway, donate land for a road and built the road so the city could access the property on outer Highland Ave to build the best recreational complex in the State, just to name a few, never wanting any notoriety for all that he did for the city. In 1975 his son Gary lost his life in a construction site accident on Sawyer Street, doing a storm drain job for the City. Louie never gave up and was determined to keep the company going for his other sons. One of the most important things was to never layoff any of his employees after what he went through at Cooks Concrete, getting laid off 3 weeks before Christmas with 8 kids at home. His brother Dominic would stop by to make sure there was food in the house, a memory he never forgot and talked about all the time. He would go without to help someone in need. He loved his family, his employees and the hundreds of friends that he has made over the years. He enjoyed many summers at Thomas Pond as well as vacationing with his family in Kissimmee, FL and in Las Vegas. Louie was predeceased by his parents; a son Gary, sisters Mazie, Camella, Caroline, brothers Jim, Phil Dominic. He is survived by his wife Bobbi, Sister's Mary Dulac husband Dick, who he was very close with, Elenor Zappia, Lenora Pete Foley, sons and their spouses, Mike Sr Cathie, Louie Jr Jane, Vinny Charlene, Tommy Sara, Jimmy Sherrie, Robbie Tina, Neil Kathy. Grandchildren Mike Jr Dawn, Maria , Angie Mike Sanphy, Sandi Matt Marks, Jenna Dave Tremberth, Justin, Adam Gary, Jamie, Megan, Becky Emily, Ashley Jessica, Danny Neil, a very special daughter in-law Pam Byram husband Joey. Great Grandchildren Jaelynne, Natasha, Morgan, Alyssa, Hannah, Dominic, Dylan, Alex, Abby, Aidan, Mila, Gianna, Maliyah, Anthony and Callie, along with many nieces and nephews. Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday, January 29, 2014 from 4:00 to 8:00pm at the Conroy-Tully Crawford South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, 10:00am at Holy Cross Church, 124 Cottage Road, South Portland. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Broadway, South Portland. Those who wish may contributions in Louie's memory to: Prostrate Cancer Research and Preventive Awareness.Online condolences may be expressed below.
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Our sincerely to the Maietta family on the loss of your Dad, Father N Law and Grandfather.
– Tim & Lita Dodd
Mr. Maietta, you were always a wonderful man with such integrity. God bless you and Gary.
– Marion Pitale
My sincerest condolences go out to the Maietta family. Although not very close to the family, I’ve worked with Big Lou, Jimmy, Vinnie, Mike Jr., on a number of construction projects in So. Portland and elsewhere. I always enjoyed talking with Louis when he’d show up on job sites. He had a way of showing his kindness and respectfulness that I always admired. He was a great guy, and he will be missed by all. Jay R.
– Jay Reynolds
On behalf of the entire Saragosa Family of Medford, MA we wish to express our most sincere condolensces on the loss of such a wonderful man. Our families grew up together over many wonderful summers on Thomas Pond. We have a rich history of treasured memories of these times. Our children were able to enjoy the fruits of Big Lou’s labor and his generosity over the years with his hard work on the road, the beaches and the property in general as well as the many wonderful ammenities he provided and insisted we enjoy. One of our favorite memories is of one of the many times the ice cream truck came down the road and he completely cleaned out the truck’s inventory purchasing treats for everybody without exclusion. He was a truly generous and loving person and he will be sorely missed. It was an honor and a privelage to be his neighbor for all these many years. All of the Maietta Family is remembered in our thoughts and prayers. The Saragosa Family
– The Saragosa Family, Medford, MA
I wish to convey my deepest sympathies to the Maietta family in this time of great sadness, my thoughts and prayers are with you.
– Linda Shores
To Big Lou, A good and hard working family man who has always been so good to my sister. God bless you.
– Tom Tinsman
Our sincere condolences to the Maietta family, so very sorry for your loss. You are in our thoughts.
– Sam Toppi & Family
I cannot tell you how sorry I am that Uncle Louie passed away. Not a phone call went by to my mother that I did not ask how he was doing. My thoughts and prayers have been with you all during this difficult time especially this past week. Uncle Louie was a great man who had a heart of gold! He will be missed!!
– Tim Dulac
my sincerest condolences to the family.he had a heart full of love and kindness. I am a friend of his nephew, bob dulac.
– jeanne curley
My deepest condolences to the entire family for your loss. Louie was a blessing in my life and to my family. I remember the day my son rolled over and damaged our excavator. Louie and I arrived at the scene at the same time and Louie old me not to overreact and jump all over my son. He said, Larry, we all make mistakes. I’ll send over a hoe to straighten it back up and take it to my shop, fix the damage and bring it back. Louie never charged us a penny. Louie – I’ll never forget when my son, Jimmy, was buried alive in a construction accident. At that time, my son, Dan was by strength. But, you looked me in the eye and said You call me any time day or night, Larry, if you want to talk – I’ll be there for you. That meant more me than you can ever know. God bless you Louie and your family
– Larry and Patty Williams and family, Topsham, ME
My sincere condolences to the entire Maietta family. I got to know most of the family during our many construction projects together. Big Lou was a very sincere person. I often enjoyed his daily or nightly conversations while working at the Jetport in Portland. Big Lou was a kind and giving person and will be missed by many people.
– Gordon Smith