Encyclopedia Dubuque
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GERMAIN, Maurice F.
GERMAIN, Maurice "Maury" F. (Dubuque, IA, Feb. 23, 1917--Dubuque, IA, May 23, 2013). Germain was the middle of three children, son of Mathias and Viletta (Lehman) Germain. He married Betty Knapp on December 29, 1940 at HOLY GHOST CHURCH.
His love of music began with lessons at WASHINGTON JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL playing the trombone. He played 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, he also played in the BUS CANFIELD BAND 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 band on one side and Lawrence Welk on the other.
After graduation from Senior, he went to Appleton, Wisconsin for a month of lessons with Tom Temple. He joined the Tom Temple Orchestra for a year. Returning to Dubuque, he bought Canfield’s Band and changed the name to 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 AND STRUEBER FUNERAL HOMEand 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