ST. MARTINVILLE — A funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Martin de Tours Catholic Church in St. Martinville, La., at 11 a.m., Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2008, for Dr. Robert Joseph Maraist.

The Reverend John deLeeuw, a longtime family friend, will be the celebrant and will conduct the funeral services, which will follow at St. Michael’s Cemetery.

Dr. Robert Joseph Maraist, of North Palm Beach, Fla., passed away peacefully at his home on Aug. 18, 2008, surrounded by his loving family. He was born in St. Martinville, La., on May 20, 1931, the third son of Patrick Henry and Aimee Voorhies Maraist.

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His education began at Mercy Elementary School, on the Bayou Têche, next to the Evangeline Oak, where his four aunts were Sisters of Mercy. Bob graduated as valedictorian of St. Peter’s College (now Catholic High of New Iberia) in 1948. His pre-medical studies were at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind., and LSU. In 1955, he received his M.D. from LSU Medical School and interned at Charity Hospital in New Orleans. After completing a pediatric residency at Tulane Medical Center, he served in the Navy for six years attaining the rank of Lieutenant Commander.

He married Mary Anne Macintosh and settled in North Palm Beach, Fla. Dr. Maraist, with his wife serving as his nurse and assistant, rendered care to his patients with compassion and empathy for over three decades.

Dr. Maraist is survived by his wife of 48 years, Mary Anne, 11 children — six daughters: Annette, Mariclaire, Rosemarie; Renee and her husband Eli McDonald; Julienne and Lewis Whittington; Elise and Eric Spencer; five sons: Patrick, Robert Jr., and his wife Sophia; Mark and Maria, Paul and Jennifer, and Dr. Michael and Cayla; and 14 grandchildren.  

He is also survived by two brothers, one sister, and their spouses, Dr. Francis and Ruth Maraist; Dr. David and Christy Maraist; and Ethel and Durward Babin. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Lt. Patrick Henry Maraist Jr.

The family requests that visiting hours be observed at the funeral home from 9 until 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday.

To view online obituary and sign guestbook, go to www.pellerinfuneralhome.com.

Pellerin Funeral Home of St. Martinville is in charge of arrangements.