Funeral services and a Mass of Christian Burial for Maurice P. Vasquez, 88, a resident of Davenport, will be 10 a.m. Friday at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Davenport.
Burial will be in Holy Family Cemetery, Davenport. Visitation is Thursday, July 8, from 4-7 p.m. at the Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home.
Mr. Vasquez died on Wednesday, July 8, 2009, at his home in Davenport following an brief illness. He was surrounded by his family at the time of his passing.
Maurice Paul Vasquez was born June 7, 1921 in Green River, Ill., a son of Maximo and Gregoria Fidela (Ascencio) Vasquez. He was united in marriage to Juanita Martinez on April 17, 1948 in Muscatine, Iowa. Mr. Vasquez served his nation in the cause of freedom from 1942 until 1945, enlisting in the United States Navy. He was proud of his service as a second class/20mm antiaircraft gunner aboard the net tender USS Butternut. His ship was involved in numerous construction, salvage, and combat operations in the Solomon Islands campaign of 1943. He did his duty to help defend the allied fleet during an attack on Tulagi Harbor on April 7, 1943 when a Japanese strike force of 186 Zero fighters and Val bombers tried to destroy the ships and airfields at Tulagi and Guadalcanal. He was honorably discharged in 1945 at the conclusion of the war. He was a lifetime member of the St. Mary’s Parish. Maurice had been employed as a supervisor at John Deere retiring in 1982 following 28 years of service. His greatest joy in life was his family, especially his grandchildren.
Memorials can be made to St. Mary’s Church or Beacon of Hope Hospice.
Survivors include his children and their spouses, Maurice Vasquez, Jr., Paul and Sharon Vasquez, Louis and Nancy Vasquez, all of Davenport, Thomas and Jane Vasquez, Bettendorf; and John and Dana Vasquez, Des Moines, Iowa; eight grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, brothers and sisters, Vahalia Olvera, Viola Savala, Louis Vasquez and Samuel Vasquez.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Juanita on Jan. 29, 2009; a daughter, Adele Vasquez – Larson, 1988, a grandson, Tommy Vasquez, Jr., 1979, and two sisters, Maria and Emma. May they rest in peace.
Online remembrances and condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting Maurice’s obituary at www.hmdfuneralhome.com.
