Paul John Maxwell

1925 - 2021

Paul John Maxwell passed away on January 28, 2021 at 95 years of age to claim his rightful place in the kingdom of heaven. Paul loved life, and those who knew him loved him in return. He was born into a large family at the onset of the Great Depression. At 17 years old, he joined the Navy to fight in the Pacific Ocean Theater of World War II. After his honorable discharge from the Navy, Paul would go on to marry his true love, Efegenia Lambas, to whom he was married for over 70 years. With Effie he raised two girls, Barbara and Carol. He was a family man who was generous with everything he had both in time and resources. 

Paul was a role model Christian. He was a member of St. John the Evangelist Church in Frederick MD, St. Michael’s Church in Myrtle Beach, SC, and St. Mary’s Church in Barnesville MD. Aside from giving financial support to the church, he served as a fourth degree Knight in the Knights of Columbus setting up fundraising events and doing acts of charity. We should all be so generous. 

Paul was easy-going, charismatic, genuine, and funny. Anywhere Paul was, it was a place to be. He enjoyed many activities. He fished, played softball, bet on the horses, and was a sports enthusiast, not to mention an accomplished swimmer. He loved nature, soaking in the beauties of the world that God offered him. He eventually stumbled upon golf as his favorite hobby at the age of 40. From there he would play with all of those he loved including his son-in-law and grandsons. With a “stogie” in hand to let him know which way the wind was blowing, he played some of the best courses from Myrtle Beach all the way to Hawaii. He used the sport to teach many life lessons.

After working as a produce manager at Giant Foods, he was promoted to Store Manager for many years. He eventually retired after 17 years of service working for the United States Post Office.

Paul did not believe family was everything- it was the only thing. He encouraged his girls to get their education, to use their minds to empower themselves. He took them to finishing school, dance classes, and enrolled them in the best schools he could afford to ensure they got the best education.  

As a grandfather, he took his grand babies wherever they wanted to go on his days off. Museums, zoos, amusement parks, ice cream parlors, it didn’t matter. Every summer he and Effie would splurge on a big vacation to the beach with their grandchildren to give them the time of their lives. Beach front accommodations at the best beaches, dinners at the best restaurants, a fair here, a haunted house there. He wanted them to have all of the fun that he missed as a child. He made great moments happen for the ones he loved.

Paul Maxwell came into a struggling world with little to his name and built a fortune of love and memories for all to share. Ever generous and uncompromising in his desire to do good, Paul Maxwell serves as a great example of humanity. A motivating force to emulate for all in the shadow of his legacy. 

He is survived by his wife, Efegenia, Frederick, MD; his daughters Barbara Maxwell McNally (Edward) of Oriental, NC and Carol Ann Reitz of Bethesda, MD. He was blessed with four grandchildren: Christopher Reitz (Jennifer) of Media, PA; Jennifer Nader (James) of Bethesda, MD; Margaret Metz (Brad) of Hamilton, VA; Paul McNally of Leesburg, VA; seven great grandchildren: Tyler and Andrew Metz; Evangeline, James and Samuel Nader; and Katherine and Amelia Reitz; and two remaining siblings Frances Himmelfarb (Gerald), of Pasadena, MD and Stanley Maxwell (Barbara) of Myrtle Beach, SC.

A funeral mass will be held at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Frederick MD on February 12 at 10 AM. Inurment with military honors will follow at St. Johns Cemetery.  

The Funeral Mass will will be live streamed on You Tube at the Church's channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmsrNs5tBV0YsG_RFubzTlw for convivence.