From the Cincinnati Post
2-22-07
Kentucky deaths

Robert Mai exemplified the "Greatest Generation."

"Tom Brokaw wrote a book called 'The Greatest Generation' where he tells the stories of heroes who came of age during the Great Depression and the Second World War and went on to build a modern America," said Clay Eifert of Latonia, Mr. Mai's son-in-law.

"Bob Mai typified that generation as a brave member of the military, an individual, who through hard work and determination, built a successful career and, as a loyal and dedicated family man, committed himself to his wife and children."

Mr. Mai, 80, of Fort Wright, died Tuesday in Fort Myers, Fla.

He was the retired owner of Mai Construction.

Mr. Mai was a tail-gunner in the Navy in the Pacific theater during World War II and was awarded numerous medals and citations.

He lied about his age - he was only 17 at the time - to join the military after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941.

Mr. Mai volunteered for many civic organizations after he returned to his native Northern Kentucky.

He was a member of the St. Agnes Holy Name Society, the Covington Lions Club and the Park Hills Fire Department, in which he was a captain.

In his later years, he volunteered at the Fort Thomas Veterans Hospital.

After retirement, Mr. Mai and his wife of 57 years, Patricia, who survives, split their time between Kentucky and Florida.

A lover of the outdoors, Mr. Mai spent much of this time fishing and golfing.

He had two holes-in-one on the golf course, despite the fact that he had been declared legally blind.

"Bob was a perfect example of people from his era who were dedicated to country and family," said Eifert. "Everything he did in his life exemplified that.

"He was extremely proud of his service during World War II, but he never made a big deal about it. He moved on with his life after the war and the commitment that he had for his country carried over to other facets of life, like family and work."

Other survivors include sons, Bob Mai of Sidney, Ohio, Tom Mai of Taylor Mill and David Mai of Fort Wright; daughters, Susan West of Lakeside Park and Lori Eifert of Latonia; sisters, Laverne Wagner of Fort Wright, Loretta Olding of Fairfield, Ohio, and Shirley Crowley of Delhi, Ohio; a brother, Don Mai of Fort Wright; 13 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Monday at Blessed Sacrament Church in Fort Mitchell. Burial with military honors will follow at Floral Hills Memorial Gardens in Taylor Mill.

Memorials are suggested to the donor's choice.

Swindler & Currin Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.