Roger O. Maris

Roger Owen Maris "Captain Bud" of Largo, FL passed away in his home surrounded by his family on Wednesday, October 24, 2012. Bud was born in Chicago, IL on December 27, 1933 to Ruth and Roger I. Maris. He moved to Florida as a young man from Chicago after his fathers passing. After moving to Florida, Bud realized his love of the water. After graduating from St Petersburg High School, He enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served his country in the Korean War. After being honorably discharged from the U.S. Navy, he returned to St Petersburg to continue his love of the sea and fishing. While working on many local fishing boats, he realized his dream and became a licensed charter boat captain. Bud spent many years as the captain of the "Buttons" fishing boat docked at Charter Boat Center on Madeira Beach. He took many famous people out on his boat while captain, including most notably the Professional Baseball Player of the same name Roger Maris during the New York Yankees spring training. That meeting led to his appearance on the game show "What's My Line" in 1961. That was the same year that Roger Maris, the baseball player hit 61 homeruns. His occupation was guessed by Arlene Francis on the show. He continued as a Charter Boat Captain until the mid 70's when he decided to open a Seafood Market named "Cap'n Bud's Seafood on the corner of Seminole Blvd & 110th Ave in Seminole. After many years of running the seafood market, his love of the water drew him back to fishing. During the fall and winter months, he ran a line of Stone Crab traps off the Pinellas County Beaches. He continued fishing the remainder of his life. Some of his other interests were golfing, hunting, going to Derby Lane, and rooting for his beloved Chicago Cubs. He was a member of the Jaycees, the Southern Offshore Fishermen's Association & the Old Salt Fishing Foundation. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Kathy. He is survived by sister Lynn Birchfield of San Diego, CA, daughter Rena and husband Dale , son Roger and wife Nina & son Robert from his first marriage and daughter Lori and husband Robert, grandson Mark and granddaughter Kayla and step grandson Chris Bolson and step granddaughter Deborah Gravelle. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions in his memory be made to Cure PSP, www.curepsp.org and Suncoast Hospice www.thehospice.org .