James Maxwell Jr.

1925 - 2016

James Harvey Maxwell, Jr.

Our Dad, James Harvey Maxwell, devoted son, husband and partner, father, parishioner and American, died on Friday, November 4th, at 11:30 pm, in our family home, in Burlingame, Calif. He was 91.
The man we knew and admired possessed a generous, forgiving and humble nature. He embodied the traits of personal responsibility and faithful commitment. He was our rock and our anchor.
We will miss his humor, his quick wit, his endless patience, his infinite gratitude, his joyful spirit and his ever- present smile. We will be forever thankful for his example and do our best to honor him by carrying with us and beyond, those qualities he exemplified.
James Harvey Maxwell Jr. was born on Feb. 26, 1925, in San Francisco, California to Felicity and James Harvey Maxwell Sr. He attended Lowell High School, enlisted in the U.S. Army in June of 1944, was awarded five medals during his service, and attended and graduated from the University of San Francisco with a B.A. degree in Accounting upon his return.
He married Gertrude Elizabeth Murison (Miller) June 22, 1951 at St. Rita's Church in Fairfax, California and, in 1960, after their first six children were born, moved to Our Lady of Angels parish in Burlingame, California.
Mr. Maxwell is survived by his wife of 65 years, Trudy Maxwell, and eight of his nine children, James Maxwell, Marybeth Hartzell, Melanie Fuller, Marcia Cutchin, Monica Maxwell, Andrew Maxwell, Madonna Omens, Jason Maxwell, 20 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. Melissa Maxwell, his fourth child and an Alameda County Deputy District Attorney, died in the Loma Prieta earthquake in 1989.
James' mother was an immigrant from Portugal who worked in the cane fields in Hawaii. After moving to San Francisco, she met and married James' father whose entrepreneurial spirit she shared. Together they started Maxwell Window Shades in 1929 which is now owned and operated by the third generation-Andrew G. Maxwell.
The man we knew was a staunch advocate of education. He often quoted, "Education is the gold that lines the streets of America". To that end, all nine of his children have college degrees and seven of the nine earned advanced degrees. He was a member of the Optimist Club in San Francisco, a member of the Serra Club, a member of the men's club and sat on the parish council at Our Lady of Angels Parish.
He loved his wife. He loved his children. He loved his grandchildren. His light will be sorely missed by many for a long, long time.
Funeral service and celebration of life, Saturday, November 26th, 11 AM, Our Lady of Angels Church, Hillside Dr. Burlingame, CA.