Peter Maida, 90, of Beaumont, died Thursday, February 5, 2009. Born in Beaumont on July 4, 1918, Pete was the son of Joseph and Sophie Maida.
Pete graduated from Beaumont High School in 1935 and began work at the Jefferson County Abstract Company as a typist in the County Clerks office. After faithfully serving in the United States Air Force he earned his Insurance and Real Estate Licenses. He then founded the Maida Insurance Agency which today continues to thrive in Beaumont. He served as director of Beaumont Savings and Loan and the board of First Security National Bank. He organized, founded, and built Lamar State Bank (now Mid-South Bank) on Avenue A at the stadium shopping center. He is a past President of the Beaumont Club and was still an avid card player at the club until his illness no longer allowed him to play.
Mr. Maida was respected by many, especially his family and friends. He will be remembered as a family man and prayerful Christian. He loved and cherished his family and always put them as his first priority. He always praised God for his wonderful and blessed life. He loved to tell his stories and most of all his jokes. He seemed to always put a smile on your face. He cherished his many friends and believed that friends warm the world with happiness. He was so special in all the lives he touched, we are all richer and fuller because of him and we will truly miss him.
He is survived by his wife, Bobbie; sister, Doris Riley; sons, Pete Maida, Jr. and his wife Patty, Frank Maida and his wife Laure all of Beaumont; daughter, Linda Maida Cornelius and her husband Jackie of Burkburnett; eight grandchildren; and three great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of thirty four years, Mary Frances, brothers, Joseph Maida, Frank Maida, Sam Maida; sisters, Nannie Tritico and Mary Saragusa.
A special heartfelt thanks is bestowed upon Mr. Maida’s caregivers, Gwen and Dee Dee, as well as Dr. Denton Harris for his guidance and medical attention.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 1:00 p.m. Saturday, February 7, 2009 at St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica, Beaumont, with burial to follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park under the direction of Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin, Beaumont. A gathering of family and friends will be Friday, February 6, 2009 beginning at 6:00 p.m. with a Christian Vigil recited at 7:30 p.m. at the church. Serving as pallbearers will be Rob Dias, Jay Riley, Charles Kirkpatrick, Charles Russo, Sam Maida, Paul Leviner, Scott Heiman, Joe Maida. Honorary pallbearers will be John Sehon, Ed Green, Joe Robertson, Charles Weinbaum III, and Charles Wells.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica Heritage of Hope Fund, P.O. Box 3309, Beaumont, Texas 77704 or the Kelly High School Memorial Fund, 5950 Kelly Drive, Beaumont, Texas 77707.
