Del Sur, Poway men among region's "Fathers of the Year"

Two local fathers were among five recently named "Father of the Year" by the American Diabetes Association and Father's Day Council.

Del Sur resident Fredric J. Maas and Poway resident Vincent Mudd were honored before almost 500 people at the June 18 awards banquet in the Hilton San Diego Bayfront. Other honorees were Marshall Merrifield, Theodore D. Roth and Edward P. Wallace Jr.

While this is the sixth year "Father of the Year" awards were presented in San Diego, the award program held in 18 cities nationwide dates back to 1931, when the Father's Day Council formed. The volunteer organization honors men "who exemplify outstanding commitment to children, family and community."

"We are proud to honor these five men who have achieved a high-level of success in their careers while finding the time to be exemplary fathers," said Paul Tyrell, San Diego Father's Day Council chairman.

"These men deserve recognition not only as fathers and community leaders, but for the thousands of dollars they have helped raise to support the fight against diabetes."

To date, the annual local event has raised more than $1 million for the ADA. While honorees are not expected to contribute to the organization nor support its activities, Tyrell said honorees typically stay involved and serve as ADA ambassadors.

Maas, president and CEO of Black Mountain Ranch LLC, moved to Del Sur, the community he founded along with Santaluz, a year ago. He is the single father of a 19 year-old daughter, Katherine Claire,a Syracuse University sophomore.

"It's hard to describe (how I feel) because usually you have to die before people say nice things about you as a father," Maas said. "It's very touching, heartwarming and (fatherhood I) believe is the most important job you can hold."

"Fred's daughter lives in New York, yet he was able to find time to routinely fly there to spend quality time with his daughter," Tyrell said. "They live 3,000 miles apart and havea close relationship. It's really impressive."

Maas said he and his ex-wife separated when their daughter was 18 months old. Despite owning and working to develop the land that became San Diego's Black Mountain Ranch over the last 20 years, it was important to him to maintain a relationship with his daughter living on the East Coast with
her mother. He kept a residence in New York and flew there about 30 times a year so he could visit her.

"My ex-wife had employment opportunities back East and somebody had to compromise," Maas said. "The last one I'd expect that to be was my daughter."

Maas said he is the first single father in San Diego to receive the award.

Mudd has lived in Poway for 10 years with his wife, Catherine, and their sons, Austin, 15, a Poway High sophomore, and Lance, 13, a Twin Peaks Middle School eighth-grader.

Mudd is president of San Diego Office Interiors and owned the recently closed Mudd Club, a computer gaming center in Sabre Springs. The Mudd Club now hosts games online.

"It's a terrific compliment," Mudd said. "I've received a lot of awards for our business, but this one is just for being a dad."

Mudd said seeing his family get more excited over his "Father of the Year" award than others he has received "meant everything."

"Vince is a real family man who goes out of his way to spend as much time with his children as possible," Tyrell said, adding Mudd's community involvement is "really impressive."

Mudd said he involves his sons in his community activities whenever possible, such as Big Brothers & Big Sisters, American Red Cross and Rotary Club 33, which meets in downtown San Diego.

Such activities, Mudd said, not only help the family stay involved with each other, but teach his sons to care for others, not just themselves.

"When we give back, we make our community better and our family better," Mudd said.