Obituary of Roland Bernard Maitland

ROLAND BERNARD MAITLAND A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday in Santa Cruz for Roland Maitland who passed away August 24, 2011 at Good Samaritan Hospital in Los Gatos. Born in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, he was 76 years old. He served in the Rhodesian Royal Armed Forces 3rd Division, protecting against invasion from the Congo Region. . Mr. Maitland moved to the United States from his native South Africa in 1962. Upon settling in the Santa Clara Valley, he owned and operated Erma Auto Parts and Pajaro Auto Parts, his career in the industry spanned over 50 years. An avid rugby player as a young man, he later served as the head coach for the Santa Cruz Rebels Rugby Club and the U.C Santa Cruz Banana Slugs Rugby Team for seven years. He was a true ambassador to the game of Rugby in California, establishing and assisting many High Schools with their Rugby teams. He was a fan of the Springbok Rugby Team in South Africa. He and his wife had just returned from South Africa on the day of his passing. His family will forever remember his love for the sport and his final days enjoying professional rugby games while in South Africa. Mr. Maitland also loved to golf and spend his days at the beach where he would soak up the sun and body surf. One of his greatest joys was to watch his grandchildren compete in swimming events throughout the state. He and his wife attended Holy Cross Church and were familiar faces at Holy Cross School sporting and performing events. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Elaine Maitland of Santa Cruz, his daughter and son in-law, Judy and Glenn Locke of Santa Cruz; son and daughter in law, Roger and Laura Maitland of Murrieta, Ca. He also leaves his brothers: Peter and Patrick Maitland and his grandchildren: Elaina, Elise and Jackson Locke The mass will be celebrated on Friday, September 2, 2011 at Holy Cross Catholic Church (126 High Street) in Santa Cruz beginning at 10 a.m. Committal services will follow at Holy Cross Mausoleum in Santa Cruz. The family asks that remembrances be made in his name to Catholic Charities. To light a candle and share your condolences with Roland's family, please visit www.pacificgardenschapel.com