Maury was one of the best flag men in the business. Keen eye and quick response time were necessary when you flagged in the early days. I remember seeing him flag one of the first midget races that I saw at Norwood Arena in 1963. I didn't know that I was watching one of the greats. We often never do at the time. The racing community will miss you Maury.
Maurice R Dumas, 84, of Quincy Massachusetts, passed away on Thursday, January 4, 2018. Known as Maury to all who knew him, he was born January 18, 1933 in Malone, New York, to Evelyn R Dumas and Maurice V Dumas.
Maury was a Captain and 33-year veteran of the Navy and US Coast Guard which defined much of his life. His military career started in the Navy in 1952. His first duty station was Quonset Point RI where he met his future wife. In 1955 after completing training as an aerographer, he was stationed in Porte Lyautey, Morocco. He was joined there by his beautiful bride, Jeanne, for the first of many adventures the couple would have together. Following his graduation from Bentley College in Boston, Maury went to Officer Candidate School in Yorktown, VA, in 1961 becoming a US Coast Guard Ensign. Over the following years, Maury traveled the world on icebreakers (USCGC Evergreen, Castle Rock, Edisto), and was stationed in Boston MA, Washington DC, Alameda CA, New Orleans LA, and Governor's Island NY. He worked for many years following his retirement in 1986 from the USCG for the Boston Pilot Association. Maury is Chairman Emeritus of the Brighton Marine Health Center which provides health services to those who served.
Maury had a great voice and during high school sang with a barbershop quartette, the Bobalinks, performing regularly on the local radio and the TV show, Teenage Barn. His passion, however, was automobile racing. In a career that started in 1957 he started at over 100 tracks across the country and around the globe including Oxford Plains, West Capitol Speedway and the Norwood Arena. His first love in racing were the Mighty Midgets where he closed his career as starter for the New England Midget Association alongside his oldest son in 1993. No matter where in the world the family was stationed, automobile racing was part of his life. In later years he was responsible for all pre-race activities at the NASCAR track in Loudon NH.
Maury is survived by his beloved wife of 63 years, Jeanne. He was a loving and proud father of his six children, Marie (John Felicetti) of New Rochelle, NY; Steven (Carol) of Quincy, MA; Amy of Bridgewater, MA; Jennifer of Assonet, MA; Janine (Paul) Donovan of Falmouth, MA; John (Jennifer) of Brockton, MA. And will be lovingly remembered by his 8 grandchildren, Sarah, Michelle, Amanda, Evan, Jakob, Jack, Julianna, and Max. The oldest of three brothers, Maury is survived by his brother Andre (Sandra) Dumas of Ballston Spa, NY, and sister-in-law Eileen Dumas, Robert Dumas (deceased). Maury will be remembered fondly by numerous nieces, nephews, friends and racing associates.
The family will receive friends on January 11, 2018 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at the Nickerson-Bourne Funeral Home, 40 MacArthur Blvd, Bourne, Massachusetts 02532. Services on January 12, 2018 at noon at the funeral home followed by a military burial at the Massachusetts National Cemetery, Connery Avenue, Bourne, MA 02532. Reception following at Brookside Club, Bourne. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations may be made in Maury's name to Crystal Springs, Attn. Lucy Pacheco, P.O. Box 372, Assonet, Massachusetts 02702. Crystal Springs is an award-winning home, and the residence of daughter Jennifer Dumas which fosters progress, growth and achievement for children and adults living with severe to moderate physical, developmental, cognitive and developmental disabilities.
Arrangements under the direction of Nickerson~Bourne Funeral Home, Bourne, Massachusetts.
