Obituary of Joseph P. "Honest Abe" Maurais

Joseph P. “Honest Abe” Maurais, 80, of Peabody, loving husband of April Maurais, passed away on Wednesday, April 12, 2017 at the Ledgewood Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Center in Beverly. Joe was born in Peabody, on August 27, 1936 son of the late Philip and Mary (Salem) Maurais. Raised and educated in Peabody he was a lifelong resident of the city. Joe enjoyed tinkering on automobiles as a mechanic which led him to owning and operating the Walnut Motors in Peabody and Down Town Motors in Salem for 55 years. Throughout the years of operation Joe’s closest friend Lucien Beaulieu worked as his mechanic. He will be well remembered by many of his clients as “Honest Abe”. Joe dedicated his life to his family, grandchildren, great grandchildren and the many friends he made over the years. He was a member of the Moose Lodge in Salem. The family wished to extend their sincere thank you to the staff at Ledgewood Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Center and the VNA Nurses for the outstanding care and compassion extended to Joe over the past 2 years. In addition to his wife April of 57 years, he is survived by his children, Joseph P. Maurais Jr. and his wife Sherri of Salem, Donna M. Maurais of Peabody, Cheryle A. Sharkey of Lynn, and Michael Maurais of NH; 10 grandchildren, Justin Maurais, Elizabeth Maurais, Matthew Sharkey, Derek Maurais, Nicholas Maurais, Anthony Maurais, Kaylee Maurais, Jessica Maurais, Alysha Maurais and Randall Maurais Jr, 6 great grandchildren, Jose Armando, Jazzlyn, Gregory, Jackson, Mia and Cali-Rae, a daughter-in-law, Damaris Maurais of Peabody; his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Norma O'Neill of Peabody, June Dombrowski, Juanita and Patrick Gorman all of Beverly, and George and Anna Melanson of NV, many nieces, nephews and friends. He was also predeceased by his son Randall Maurais in 2014 and a grandson Christopher Sharkey in 2012. His family will receive relatives and friends on Thursday, April 20th from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home at 82 Lynn St., Peabody. His Celebration of Life Service in the funeral home at 7:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers the family requested that contributions be made to North Shore Elder Services, www.nselder.org or to the Lahey Health at Home, www.laheyhealthathome.org . Please visit www.ccbfuneral.com for directions, online obituary and memorial guest book.