Farewell to John Mazmanian

January 10, 2011. John (Maz) Mazmanian passed away early this morning after a very long battle with prostate cancer.  In the past 9 months, it had become advanced to the point it had metastasized to other vital organs.

Maz was one of the founding members of the CAC and a wealth of Citroën knowledge. He was a regular attendee at Club events like our Christmas Party and Niagara outings. Maz attended Rendezvous EVERY year often sharing a room with his friend Peter Fyfe from Nova Scotia.

In 2006 we published a profile on Maz. You can download it here:  https://www.sugarsync.com/pf/D1866000_75499944_78437.

I managed to visit with him at his home just prior to Christmas. While rather frail at 81 years of age, he was alert, mobile and upbeat in his inimitable fashion. Over the 20 years I have had the pleasure to know Maz, we have shared many very good times, some of which I will recount in a feature tribute in the next issue of Citroënvie.

Maz is survived by his two sons, Dwight and Troy. According to his partner, Gisella, Maz’s body has been cremated and there will be a memorial service at some future date.

Although we have lost a cherished CAC member and he will be sorely missed, I hope we can all take comfort in Maz being now blissfully at peace at the end of life’s journey.

– George Dyke

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I was saddened to read about Maz. Like many Citroen enthusiasts, he was a unique character. If there is a memorial service, I would like to know and attend. Perhaps something will be done at this year’s Rendezvous in his honour. Maz went to every Rendezvous – plus one! One year, he went down a week early by mistake. He faithfully returned the next week for the event.

Victor Alksnis

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Maz and his family will be in my thoughts and prayers.
I was a ‘brand new’ Citroën owner at a Niagara Falls meet 18 or so months ago. He kindly guided me along… with coaching and plenty of great conversation.
Thanks for the “member profile”, so I now know much more about him.

David Lum
Pittsford, NY

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There was no one like Maz! I visited his Citroen “field of dreams” many times and he stopped by to visit me on his monthly treks to the Walden Flea Market and local grocery stores. He had more knowledge about Citroen than anyone I have ever met. What made him so special was how willingly he shared what he knew. I miss my friend John.

George Hamilton
Buffalo, NY
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I’m so sorry to hear it, but I know that Maz led one CRAZY full life! He was a great guy.
Love,
Elizabeth Voce
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Thanks for letting us know, George. What a wonderful character he was. Wow.

Greg Long

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Sorry to hear of the loss of “Maz” after so much suffering.

I had the pleasure of appraising two or three of his running cars in the early to mid 80′s (I think). At that time he was living just west of Brampton.

A knowledgeable, unique individual for sure.

Dean Renwick

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My Condolences to Maz and his family,

He surely will be missed as only last week that I was contemplating to go see him though because of the snow and other climatic issues I put it off. I did talk to him though as he sounded full of life’s energy, never for one moment did I pick up any vibes that he was ripe and ready to take off without Visa to unfold in his next journey.
He will be missed as well as thought of as he had loads of knowledge about flying airplanes small air crafts , he may even have flown in his young days…. memories what a wonderful way we as humans can teleport at a moment and go back in time and or see the whole video conveniently recorded in our body cells that we are able to replay any incidents that may have triggered memory playback… wow what a life.
God Bless his soul

Raj

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I’ve known John from 30+ years of rendezvous and he is a legendary Citroenthusiast. A man I always got a big kick out of seeing every year.

Bill Blaufuss
Connecticut

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What a wonderful man!
I attend Citroën gatherings because of people like John. He was always upbeat, happy to be amongst friends and enjoy a good time.
I’ll celebrate his life by being more like him.
Cheers to a life well lived!

Robert Monteleone

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John’s smile and upbeat attitude will be missed by us all in the Citroën community. May his spirit live on in each of us!

Kim Walter

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We will miss John, we enjoyed his cheerful personality and huge smile that not only was seen but felt. We send our thoughts and prayers to his loved ones.

John + Vera Beltrante

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John Mazmanian and the orange VISA full of stuff. He always had a smile and a very tight hug. The Rendezvous won’t be the same without him.

Judith Reiter

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As our favourite uncle, Uncle Maz was the reason my brother, sister and I have a love of Citroens. I have great memories of driving in Uncle Maz’s cool cars. His energy was unmatcheable, as was his kindness and good humour. We all miss him. Love to D and T.

Donica Poirier McGougan

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Uncle John.  It has been many years since you left this world.  You and Dad were the role models that led me to join the Canadian Forces.  I enjoyed our visits very much, tho they were few.  I think of you and Dad often.  Hope you both are doing fine up there.

Your nephew, Bunny

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John never missed an opportunity to visit us here in New Mexico on his passage to and from his winters in Mexico. We always wondered which way he was coming from. He was an inspiration to us all. He is missed. I miss his emails of his whereabouts.

Elsa Henry