Maurice was born on August 15, 1933, in Chicago, Illinois to Dr. Maurice S. Mazel and Mrs. Georgette Mazel. He died on July 13, 2017, surrounded by his family.

At the age of 3, Maurice and his mother moved to San Antonio, where he attended St. Anthony Elementary School, San Antonio Academy and Texas Military Institute. He attended Northwestern University in Chicago and graduated in 1957 from the University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Chemistry.

While he longed to be a pilot, physical requirements at the time prevented him from pursuing that passion. Instead, he was a pharmaceutical representative for 35 years beginning with Warren-Teed and retiring from Pfizer. He later worked in the choral department of Southern Music for 10 years, taking great pride in locating hard-to-find music for his customers. He was a great fan of opera music, and was known to break into arias at a moments notice. An accomplished pianist, he enjoyed playing the "Eyes of Texas" on any piano anywhere. His hobbies were acting, baking, fishing, and dominoes.

He was a member of Laurel Heights United Methodist Church for 56 years, where he sang in the Chancel Choir. He was a member of the Super Adults, Prayer Bexar Reunion Group, and a volunteer at Church Under the Bridge.

He was preceded in death by his sister Zelda Ginter. He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Julie; son, Charles H. Piland, Jr; daughter, Rachel Thielen (Jon) and granddaughter, Lauren Thielen; 2 half-sisters, Diana Petrocelli and Desiree Hartog, and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the medical staff of St. Luke's Baptist Hospital for the care he received there.

A celebration of his life will begin at 1 p.m. Saturday, July 22, at Laurel Heights UMC, 227 W. Woodlawn Ave., Reverends James McClain and James Carr, officiating.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Music Fund of Laurel Heights UMC or The Church Under the Bridge.