Born to a poor family in a rural area near South River, Ont., Maeck left school after Grade 10 education and, at age 17 and a half, joined the Royal Canadian Air Force where he served as a wireless air gunner during the Second World War.
He established successful businesses in his community, including a gas station, a bus company and a furniture store.
Maeck was recognized for his advocacy for local projects and served on numerous standing committees at the Legislative Assembly.
Maeck chose to retire from provincial politics and relinquished the Progressive Conservative nomination, for the 1981 general election, in favour of a young lawyer from Parry Sound, Ernie Eves.
[3] Aside from being an extremely popular Member of Provincial Parliament, Maeck held a variety of other jobs over the course of his life, including being an OPP detective, entrepreneur –, volunteer and politician.