Maximo Abecia was born on November 16, 1914 in Lauan, Guinsiliban, Camiguin, Phillipines to Eustaquio Pacudan Abecia and Eugenia Salon Gelea. He is the fourth of the eight siblings in the family, namely: Eustaquia, Juan, Francesca, Maximo, Pablo, Librado, Luciano and Cecilio.

Through hardships and struggles in his childhood, he moved to Manila with his brother and was able to finish his schooling, and obtain his elementary teacher certificate. Before his graduation in 1939, he married Leonila Garcia, a former high school classmate and fellow working student at National University in Manila.

In Lipa Sampaloc on November of 1937, Juliet, the first of seven children was born. With his family still in Camiguin, Maximo was offered his first teaching position at the Manuyog Primary school in Camiguin. In September of 1940, the second child Minda was born.

In December 1941, World War II began. As a teacher in his twenties, Maximo joined the civilian volunteers serving the capacity as Civilan Defense Supervisor. In the midst of Japanese invasion, Maximo and Leonila had their third child Rowena in July of 1942. Through the order of Civilian Defense Commander, Maximo's position was changed to Bolo Battalion Captain, handling one hundred and fifty men under his command. Under the guerrilla, Maximo became a wanted man of the Japanese. Though japanese soldiers patrolled the waters of Camiguin, it remained a stronghold and was never captured by the Japanese Imperial Army. In January of 1944, their first son and fourth child Romeo was born. When the war ended, Maximo was asked to return as a teacher. In March of 1946, the fifth child Emmanuel was born. Shortly after his birth, the family left Camiguin to Camiling Tarlac, where Maximo obtained another teaching position. This position was shortlived, for he obtained another teaching position in San Agustin, where he and Leonila were to open a school and establish a school system for both children and adults. The sixth child, Ely was born there in April of 1948. After two years of service, Maximo and his family moved to Mindanao, and later ended up in Parang. Maleo, the seventh child was born in April of 1952.

In the 1951-1952 school year, Maximo was transferred to Buldon Settlement Farm School, in a pure Muslim community 27 kilometers away from the poblacion of Parang. As a teacher, Maximo was transferred to several schools, each larger than the last and filled with cultural and linguistic challenges. He advanced his proffessional career, completing his Junior Teacher Civil Service examination. Through his perseverance and dedication to raising education attainments, years of summer classes resulted in his Bachelor of Science in Education. With his BSE entitlement, he was promoted to an Elementary School Principal in September of 1969. He held this position until his retirement on November 16, 1976.

Throughout his professional years, Maximo was also able to obtain ownership of a farm in Edcor, Buldon. He erected a farm house on the 5 hectare estate and became a farmer to supplement his livelihood as a teacher. His regular working days combined a rigorous balance of school and farming duties.

As the years went by, the thickly forested farm was developed into banana plantation, orchard, rice field, fish ponds, poultry ranch, coconut plantation, coffee and cacao plantation and irrigation system for wet rice planting. Maximo's dream to own a farm to call his own was realized. Eggs, chickens, ducks, pigs, fish, rice, fruits, coffee, cacao, and coconuts could be found just around the farm house. These answered all the needs of his children studying in Edcor and later Cotabato City, throughout their elementary, high school and post secondary years. It came out as time passed on, that the products of the farm surpassed the needs of the family, but came to support the surrounding community as well.

In 1976, his son and daughter-in-law, Noel and Lita sponsored Maximo and Leonila to immigrate to Canada, where they proudly acquired their citizenship in 1984.

Maximo dedicated his life to his family, to his country, and to his community. His contributions to his fellow man were executed in his professional life, and his social involvements. In the Philippines, Maximo was a Boy Scout Master, a Consultant on Academics, President of the Teacher's Association, a Lion's Club member, and a Cursillista. As a retiree in Canada, Maximo acted as the President of the Prince Rupert Fil-Can Association (1979), and a founder and recurring President of the Prince Rupert Fil-Can Senior's Association, of which he was an avid member. He also acted as an Auxilliary Member of the Legion of Mary, and contributed numerous articles to the Prince Rupert Daily news "Letters to the Editor" section.

Maximo's writings had a common theme; we must endure tolerance of all people, and love, respect, and protect our fellow man. He was an advocate of community togetherness, and encouraged us to fulfill our social obligations and participate in activities within the community. To raise a healthy family, it takes a healthy community. Maximo was not only the head of the Abecia family, he was a father to us all.

Maximo passed away peacefully at Prince Rupert Regional Hospital on October 3, 2001, at 7:30 PM. A man who loved his family and the city he lived in for 25 years. Maximo left behind his loving wife Leonila Garcia Abecia, his sons and their wives; Maleo and Marizon, Ely and Maria, Noel and Lita, Romy and Jovy, and also his daughters and their husbands; Rowena and Edgardo Manalo, Luzminda and Eduardo Juance, Julieta and Mauricio Pacumba. His also leaves his grandchildren; Jean and Jun, James and Myelene, Jonathan and Jennifer Mae, Reynante and Rowena, Ricky and Marissa, Dorie and Allen, Bayani and Doreen, Isagani, Majulani, Nathalie and Daniel, Roy, Noli, Donna, Manny, Emmanuel JR, Emma, Melanie, EJ, Sharon, Leny Rose & Zaldy, Rizza, Cyril Love, and Maxileo. Great grandchildren include: Lady Julminrow, Princess Hrothwyn, John, Franz, Nico, Dyan, Bryan, Hannah, and Jon Ed.

We love you, Lolo.