Lawrence G. Mais

1925 - 2022

Lawrence G. Mais

September 23, 1925-July 8, 2022

On July 8, 2022, Lawrence G. Mais passed away at home with his wife and daughter by his side. Larry was born on September 23, 1925, in South Ozone Park, Queens, NY to loving parents George and Margaret Mais, née Fuess. Larry was the youngest of six children: Betty, Emma, Regina, Frances and George.

Larry was raised during the Great Depression. In 1942, immediately after graduating from John Adams High School, he enlisted in the US Army as World War II was intensifying. After basic training, Larry was assigned to the 86 Infantry, Black Hawk Division, and saw action in the Battle of the Bulge. Larry was a Bronze Star combat veteran. After VE Day, he was deployed to the Philippines.

Following his military service, Larry attended Saint John's University on the GI bill attending night school while working during the day as many of the Greatest Generation did, and in 1952, earned a bachelor's degree in English. Shortly after graduation, Larry met Catherine Meehan on a blind date. After a few months of courting, Larry married Catherine (and her large Irish family) at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Brooklyn, NY. He loved his in-laws and was the first member of the "out-laws" posse.

Larry and Catherine settled in Bellerose, New York and were blessed with four children: Tom, Mary Anderson, Peggy (Jeff) Kendrick and Tricia (Bob) Havlir.

Larry, a lifelong Brooklyn Dodgers fan, became a New York Mets fan in 1962 after the Brooklyn Dodgers broke his heart by moving to the Left Coast 4 years earlier. In 1965, Larry took a job with Ametek and moved his family from New York to the Illinois Quad Cities, and they became parishioners at St Anne's in East Moline. Later, as his job transferred to San Diego, Larry and Katie became parishioners at Our Lady of Grace Parish in El Cajon, CA. He was involved in the food pantry and helping the poor and homeless of El Cajon.

After retirement, Larry and Katie moved back to the Quad Cities to live with their daughter Mary and to be near family. They were parishioners at St. Ambrose in Milan and St. Pius X in Rock Island and active in the food pantry and prison ministry. Larry and Catherine were awarded Volunteers of The Year from the State of Illinois for their work with the prison ministry at the East Moline Correctional Center. He was an inspiration to many of his fellow volunteers.

Larry loved to read novels, freshwater fish at Lake Okoboji in Iowa and deep-sea fishing. He was a devoted pipe smoker because, he joked, it made him seem distinguished. He was a crossword puzzle aficionado, a contract bridge player and enjoyed local bowling leagues.

Larry was blessed with eight grandchildren: Major Ryan Anderson, Matt Anderson (Melanie McKelvey), Kristin (Terry) Stambaugh, Steve Mais, Bridget Mais, MD, Michael Kendrick, Ed.D (Rita), Sam Kendrick (Becky), and George Havlir. And further blessed with five great-grandchildren: Ben and Ellie Kendrick; Declan and Mari Kendrick and Eryn Stambaugh.

He will be greatly missed as he looks down from Heaven with his family and friends who have gone before him. A man of wit, he will no doubt have a few pithy bon mots for St. Peter as he passes through the pearly gates. God bless you dad, we love you.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00am July 13, 2022 at St. Pius X Catholic Church with visitation in McCarthy Hall one hour prior to the Mass. Private burial will take place with Military Honors by the American Legion Post 246, Moline.

Online condolences can be left at www.RaffertyFunerals.com.