Obituary from the Erie Times News dated May 9, 2006:

John M. Maki, 85, died Sunday, May 7, 2006, at his residence in Millcreek Twp.

He was born in Erie on October 6,1920, son of the late Axel and Mary Hieteko Maki.  He had lived in the Erie area his entire life.He was a graduate of  Millcreek High School, class of 1938.  He was valedictorian of his graduation class.

He was employed with Lord Corp. for 42 years, retiring in 1983.  Known as "The Ice Man," he made ice from 1962 to 2005.  He started with the Glenwood outdoor rink, Glenwood Ice Skating Rink, Erie Co. Field House, and Tullio Arena.  He was the oldest active Zamboni Operator in the U.S.

He served in the US Navy in the South Pacific on the Destroyer Escort USS Underhill during WWII.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, August, Elmer, and Isaac Maki; and three sisters, Lilly and Lila Maki, and an infant sister.

He is survived by two brothers, William Maki and his wife, Teresa, of Millcreek Twp., and Emil Maki and his wife, Evelyn, of Erie; one sister-in-law, Carol Maki Grieshaber; six nieces, two nephews; and several great-nieces and nephews also survive him.

Friends may call at the Dusckas-Martin Funeral Home, Inc., 4216 Sterrettania Road (Erie), on Wednesday and Thursday (May 10 & 11) from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., and are invited to attend a military graveside service at Laurel Hill Cemetery on Saturday at 10 a.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Destroyer Escort Historical Museum, USS Slater DE-766, P.O. Box 1926, Albany, NY   12201-1926.