Encyclopedia Dubuque
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GERMAIN, Maurice F.
GERMAIN, Maurice "Maury" F. (Dubuque, IA, Feb. 23, 1917--Dubuque, IA, May 23, 2013). Germain, the middle of three children, was the son of Mathias and Viletta (Lehman) Germain. He married Betty Knapp on December 29, 1940 at HOLY GHOST CATHOLIC CHURCH.
His love of music began with lessons at WASHINGTON JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL playing the trombone. He performed in the band and orchestra at both Washington Jr. High and DUBUQUE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL. In 1935, while playing at Senior, the orchestra won a state contest which took them to Chicago to march at Soldier Field.
While in school, Germain played in the "BUS" CANFIELD ORCHESTRA on evenings and weekends. One of his memorable moments was playing with Bus Canfield’s Band in Minnesota for a homecoming dance. The stage turned every half hour with Canfield’s orchestra on one side and Lawrence Welk's orchestra on the other.
After graduation from Senior, he went to Appleton, Wisconsin for a month of lessons with Tom Temple and then joined the Tom Temple Orchestra for a year. Returning to Dubuque, he bought Canfield’s orchestra and changed its name to the Larry Foster's 12 Orchestra from 1940 to 1963. They played many events in the Midwest, especially at MELODY MILL.
In 1940, after finishing mortuary school, he went to work at the EGELHOF CASPER STRUEBER FUNERAL HOME and retired after fifty-eight years. Maury and Betty also owned and operated the SIESTA MOTEL from 1962 to 1968.
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Source:
Obituaries, Telegraph Herald, May 25, 2013. p. 2D