SOUTH PORTLAND — Louis B. Maietta Sr., 77, died peacefully Jan. 25, following a long battle with cancer. His loving family was by his side.

Maietta was born in Portland on Feb. 3, 1936, the son of Aniello and Saveria Tenerillo Maietta. He attended local schools until the seventh grade, when he went to work for his brothers Jim and Phil at their meat market on Washington Avenue in Portland.

He married his childhood sweetheart, Roberta L. Tinsman, on Nov. 13, 1954. Later he worked for Eastern Oil, Cooks Concrete, Dirigo Builders and Walter Milletts. In addition, he worked as a painter on nights and weekends to help put food on the table for his eight sons.

In 1968, Maietta and his wife started Maietta Construction Inc. Over the years, he grew the company to 150 employees, who nicknamed him Big Lou, a name that stuck with him for the rest of his life. Some of Maietta’s best memories were working with Gee Erskine, South Portland public works director. Maietta enjoyed helping the city, whether he was rebuilding baseball fields, supplying equipment to dig out fire hydrants after heavy snowfall, or donating gravel to extend the greenbelt walkway.

In 1975, his son Gary lost his life in a construction site accident while working on a storm drain job for the city. Maietta was determined to keep the company going for his other sons.

He loved his family, his employees and the hundreds of friends he made over the years. He enjoyed many summers at Thomas Pond as well as vacationing with his family in Kissimmee, Fla., and Las Vegas, Nev.

He was predeceased by his parents; his son, Gary; sisters, Mazie, Camella and Caroline; and brothers, Jim, Phil and Dominic.

He is survived by his wife, Bobbi; sisters, Mary Dulac and husband Dick, Elenor Zappia, and Lenora and Pete Foley; sons, Mike Sr. and wife Cathie, Louie Jr. and wife Jane, Vinny and wife Charlene, Tommy and wife Sara, Jimmy and wife Sherrie, Robbie and wife Tina, and Neil and wife Kathy; grandchildren, Mike Jr. and wife Dawn, Maria, Angie and Mike Sanphy, Sandi and Matt Marks, Jenna and Dave Tremberth, Justin, Adam and Gary, Jamie, Megan, Becky and Emily, Ashley and Jessica, and Danny and Neil; a very special daughter-in-law, Pam Byram and husband Joey; great-grandchildren, Jaelynne, Natasha, Morgan, Alyssa, Hannah, Dominic, Dylan, Alex, Abby, Aidan, Mila, Gianna, Maliyah, Anthony and Callie; and many nieces and nephews.

Visiting hours were held Jan. 29, at the Conroy-Tully Crawford South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway. A Mass of Christian burial was celebrated at Holy Cross Church, followed by burial in Calvary Cemetery, South Portland.

Those who wish may make contributions in his memory to support prostrate cancer research, prevention and awareness.

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