Louis B. Maietta Sr Obituary (1936 - 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.