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J. Manuel Maes, age 86, a resident of Santa Cruz, passed away on Saturday, May 6, 2000, due to a lengthy illness. Mr. Maes was born in Alamosa, CO and received his elementary education there before moving to the Espanola Valley, where his grandparents lived. He graduated from Santa Cruz High School and received a BA degree from Adams State College in Alamosa. Mr. Maes was awarded an MA degree in Secondary School Administration from Highland's University in Las Vegas and did further graduate work at the University of New Mexico. Following his college work at Adams State, he began his teaching career at Santa Cruz High School when it was a Catholic Parochial School. He taught there two years before entering the U.S. Army Air Corps. He served four years in the European Theatre during World War II as a meteorologist. He later spent six months in Spain as a civilian, helping to establish air bases in that country. Upon returning to the states he resumed his 30 plus year career in education and administration. He taught further at Santa Cruz High and later became principal, as well as at John F. Kennedy and Cuba Junior High Schools until his retirement. He was loved by countless students and colleagues. He was a member of the National Education Association, The New Mexico Education Association, and the National Association of Secondary School Principals. Mr. Maes was a member of the Santa Cruz Holy Family Society. An avid sports enthusiast, he enjoyed baseball and basketball, and particularly ice skating. His other hobbies were masonry work and gardening. His mind was sharp to the end as he often recalled train rides on the Cumbres from Alamosa to Espanola, as well as many other experiences from his youth. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ramon and Carmelita Maez; his wife, Maria E. Maes; two sons, Bobby and Eugene Maes; and one brother, Guillermo Maes. He is survived by his children, Manuel R. Maes of Fairview, GA, Matthew and Alfred Maes, all of the home, Eddie Maes and wife, Edna of Pojoaque, Carmen Gonzales and husband, Rudy of Santa Cruz, Rev. Fr. Clarence Maes of St. Anne's Parish, Santa Fe, and Anthony Maes of Albuquerque; grandchildren, Damon Paul Maes (whom he raised), Chris R. Maes, Yvonne, Arthur and Jerome Quintana, Alicia Gonzales and Ramona Salazar; three great-grandchildren, Desiree Quintana, Benito Maestas Jr. and Raylynn Quintana and one due in May. Rosaries will be recited on Monday evening, 7:00 p.m., at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Espanola. A second Rosary will be recited on Tuesday, 5:00 p.m., at Santa Cruz de la Canada. Visitation will be at 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon, on Tuesday, May 9, 2000 at the Sangre de Cristo Chapel of DeVargas Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 10, 2000 at La Iglesia de Santa Cruz de la Canada. Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery with the following serving as pallbearers, Damon Maes, Chris Maes, Arthur and Jerome Quintana, Rudy Gonzales, Brock and Mike Salazar. Honorary pallbearers named are Yvonne Quintana, Alicia Gonzales, and Ramona Salazar. The family of J. Manuel Maes has entrusted these funeral arrangements to DeVargas Funeral Home of the Espanola Valley, 222 Los Alamos Hwy., Espanola, NM, (505) 747-7477.
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