Michael Edward Maser

Michael Edward Maser, 72, passed on July 14, 2019, in Charlotte, North Carolina. Mike, or as he was affectionately known, Coach Maze, was born on March 2, 1947, in Plattsburgh, New York, and grew up in Clayton, New York. Mike would go on to play college football at the University of Buffalo where his love of teaching and the sport led to a career as a football coach at both the college and professional levels. Mike shaped the lives of many young men as a college offensive line coach, during a 22 year career that saw stops at Marshall University, Bluefield State University, University of Maine, and Boston College. At BC, he coached in several New Year's Day bowl games, and watched as his lineman blocked for and protected Doug Flutie to BC's historic 'Miracle in Miami' in November 1984, a play that solidified Flutie's Heisman Trophy Award that same year. Almost a decade later Coach Maze was still on the sidelines at BC as part of the coaching staff that led the Eagles to the defeat of the then #1 ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish, 41-39, on a historic last second field goal in November 1993. In 1994, after 13 years at BC, Coach Maze made the jump to the NFL. Over the next 14 years as a professional coach, Coach Maze served as offensive line coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars, Carolina Panthers, and Miami Dolphins. Coach Maze was a part of the Jaguars original coaching staff, where he went to the playoffs four times, won two AFC Central Division titles, coached in two Conference Championships, and two Pro Bowls. While he was there, the Jaguars were considered, in most circles, to be the most successful expansion franchise in professional sports history. During his six years in Carolina, Coach Maze coached an offensive line that led the team to two Conference Championship games and Super Bowl XXXVIII. Coach Maze's last year as a professional coach was in 2008, for the Miami Dolphins. The year before his arrival saw the Dolphins finish the 2007 season with a record of 1-15. In 2008, however, the Dolphins won the AFC East with an 11-5 record and completed the greatest single season turnaround in NFL history. Despite the station he reached in his professional life, his career never defined him and his professional success paled in comparison to his accomplishments as a devoted husband, father, granddad, and friend. His love for life showed in the way he lived it. He was a man of extraordinary faith and devotion. He was a mentor to many and his quick wit, sense of humor, laugh, and his balanced approach to life and work were the traits that grounded him, made him the man he was, and endeared him to many. Mike retired from coaching in 2009 and made a seamless transition into retirement life. He had a passion for golf and he was a staple at Firethorne Country Club, where everyone affectionately called him 'Coach'. When he wasn't working on his golf game, he spent time with his wife of forty-eight years, Barbara, and visited family and friends around the country. Mike is survived by his wife Barbara (Sartini), his children, Brigitte Bradley (Kevin) of Las Vegas, Nevada; Greg (Cara) of Madison, New Jersey; Brian (Jennifer) of Duxbury, Massachusetts, and by his six grandchildren, whom he loved unconditionally, Isabella, Mia, Dominic, Sadie, Thomas and Lola. He is also survived by his sister, Maureen Littlefield, of Clayton, New York. Mike was predeceased by his loving mother Margaret. We invite family and friends alike to a Funeral Mass to be held on Friday, August 2, 2019, at 12:45 pm, at St. Matthew's Catholic Church, 8015 Ballantyne Commons Parkway, Charlotte, North Carolina 28277. Flowers respectfully declined. Memorial contributions may be made to the Northern New York Community Foundation, 131 Washington Street, Watertown, New York 13601, designated for the 'Margaret Maser Scholarship Fund'.