Felix Maas
Felix Joseph Maas, 99, of Ooltewah, Tennessee, was born on August 29, 1916 in Rogers Park, IL, a Luxemburg Community, outside of Chicago, IL.
Felix was one month and two days shy of being 100 years old, when he died on Wednesday, July 27, 2016 at The Bridge, an Assisted Living Facility in Ooltewah, where he was loved and adored by many there who surrounded him.
Felix first came to Chattanooga in his later years from Tullahoma, to be closer to his son and family, where he was a resident for several years at Garden Plaza of Greenbriar Cove in Collegedale, until he went to The Bridge at Ooltewah.
Felix lived a full life in his younger years in Chicago, where he grew up with motorcycles and dressing to the latest styles. He was a good-looking young man who worked hard to help his dad in the greenhouses, which his dad contracted to assist in raising crops for the Luxemburg Community.
He married Florence Angeline Bogacz on Nov. 30, 1940. They decided to move to California, but “ran out of money” and stopped in Tucson, AZ, where they had one daughter, Victoria Ann Maas, who died as an infant and their only son, Richard Felix Maas. While in Arizona, Felix was hired by the Air Force, as a private contractor to help build the air base in Tucson, named Davis-Monthan. Once the base was built, he worked on military aircraft engines. He then moved his family back to Chicago, IL and enlisted in the Air Force, working as an airplane engine mechanic in France. After the war, he came back to Chicago and worked as a civilian airplane mechanic and also worked with his father as a private contractor. From 1950 to about 1956 he worked as a technician at a jet engine test facility called “Ford”, just outside of Chicago. At the end of 1956, he relocated his family to Tullahoma, TN where he worked as a rocket engine test facility supervisor at Arnold Engineering Development Center, working primarily to test rocket engines for the moon shot in 1969. He retired from Arnold Center in 1978.
While in Tullahoma, Felix was known for his woodworks. He also liked to read and enjoyed exercising. He always took pride in that his son, Richard, was smart and a good athlete. Felix’s joy was that he instilled good things in his son.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Emil and Anna Maas and his wife, Florence Bogacz Maas of 64 years, daughter, Victoria Ann Maas and his sisters and their spouses, Sue (Otto) Seiler and Milly (Gene) Schuler.
Felix is survived by his son and wife, Richard Felix (Rodena) Maas and two grandchildren and their spouses, Erin Maas (Kevin) Lee of Oak Ridge, TN and Devin Joseph (Claire) Maas of Knoxville, seven great-grandchildren: Hudson Isaac Lee, Shelby Rebecca Lee, Paxton Isaiah Lee, Maggie Louise Maas, Maddox Aaron Lee, Anna Jo Maas and Harper Elizabeth Lee. Also included are several nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends on Sunday, July 31, from 2-4 p.m. at The Chattanooga Funeral Home Valley View Chapel Chattanooga, at 7414 Old Lee Highway, Chattanooga, TN 37421.
Felix’s body will then be transported to St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Chicago, IL, where a visitation service and burial will occur. Arrangements will be made by Sax-Tiedemann Funeral Home in Franklin Park, IL.
Felix lived a long and productive life. “No regrets,” he would state. “It’s been a good life; couldn’t have been any better!”
Felix’s family would like to thank those who cared for, enjoyed listening to and had a heart’s desire to protect his dignity. May all of you be blessed.
The family has requested no flowers; just thoughts and prayers.
Arrangements are by the Valley View Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory & Florist, 7414 Old Lee Highway. Please share your memories at ChattanoogaValleyViewChapel.com.