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Lynn mast posted a condolence
Monday, July 25, 2022
Jay I'm sorry to say this about your son but he is sick and a pig if he hurt my brother in any way he may want to confess now because my family wants to hurt him
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The family of Gerard M. Mayhew uploaded a photo
Tuesday, September 10, 2019
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Loretta Marks posted a condolence
Tuesday, November 29, 2016
Tina and Michael I am so sorry for your loss as I know just how you feel. Your Dad is in heaven with your Mom and all the Angels watching over you both. I will pray for you both.
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Mike & Tina Mayhew posted a condolence
Monday, November 28, 2016
Jay was born Gerard Mayhew, but it was his brother Cliff that couldn't pronounce the name Gerard and he kept calling him Jay while growing up and that is what he liked being called so he told everyone his name was Jay. He remained close to his brother Cliff throughout his life and both families remain close today. Cliff died in 2014, and his kids were with Jay's family during his peaceful passing on November 25th, just 17 days after his wife Frances's passing after 56 years of marriage.
Jay completed up to the 8th grade in school but then completed his GED and joined the Marines in February of 1952. He served during the Korean War and received the National Defense Service Ribbon, Korean Service Medal, and the UN Service medal for his service. Jay left the Marines in February of 1960.
Jay met Frances while still in service for the Marines and Frances was working at her Uncle Ted's restaurant in Utica. Her father was not too impressed with what Jay looked like or his line of work, because at the time Jay was working as a ditch digger while at Griffiss. But over their 4 years of dating her father and mother learned to love Jay and on June 4th, 1960 Fran and Jay were united in marriage which lasted 56 years.
During those 56 years Fran & Jay did many things together. They were members of several bowling leagues and won a few trophies for HIGH SCORE. They loved square dancing so much they took a class and became certified square dancers. Jay also played baseball and was on several local teams participating in many games throughout the region (Rome, Lee, Boonville, Camden, etc.)
In 1965 their first child was born named Michael Jay. Jay became the proudest father ever. He had a little boy that he could teach all of his talents and wisdom to. Unfortunately Michael Jay was not very adept at sports and spent more time hiking in the woods around the ball field rather than learning the game.
Wishing to expand their family but unable to have another child Frances & Jay adopted a little girl. So in October of 1973 a shy little 3 year old girl, named Tina, that was in the foster care system came to live with them & was adopted into the family as Tina Margaret Mayhew.
During the early years of Jay's marriage both Fran & Jay worked. Trying to run a family & house was difficult and Fran did not know how to cook. But Jay learned many things while being in the Marines and cooking was one of those things. So the agreement was made that Frances would clean the house and Jay would cook. Frances's dad Charlie, helped to teach Jay his many Italian recipies which dad improved on over the years delighting his in-laws and the rest of the Morice side of the family. Jay was a terrific cook, noone who ever came to the house left hungry. Jay was very well known for his Italian sauce & meatballs. In the later years when Tina was older he tried teaching her how to cook, and she is learning, but occasionally sets off the smoke alarm.
Fran and Jay both had successful careers at Griffiss Air Force Base. Jay was an electrical lineman in the Civil Engineering section receiving disability retirement in 1977 after an on-the-job injury affecting his back. His wife Frances was the Chief of Transportation for SAC before she retired in October of 1992. After retirement both of them spent all of their time with their kids and grandkids establishing lifelong memories.
The Christmas holidays were Fran and Jay's most enjoyable times with the family. They would always decorate the house from one end to the other in lights, tinsel, other decorations; many of which were made by their kids. Over time, their son, Mike picked up the tradition and the Mayhew house on Dominick Street has become a popular place to stop by during the holidays to see both the outside and the inside full of decorations.
As an adult, Mike became a foster parent for NY State which delighted Fran and Jay who became instant grandparents to the children who came to live with us. Some of the happiest memories were celebrating their time while in the Mayhew household. In 1996, a seven year old boy, named Thomas came to live with Mike and the Mayhew's. In 1999, Mike adopted him as his son and became a member of the Mayhew family as Michael Thomas ("Tommy"). Michael, has been mimicking his fathers career from high school at RCH, thru MVCC, SUNY (earning his B.S. in Computer Science), and career as a Computer Scientist at the Air Force Research Lab. Michael Thomas is also pursuing his Master's degree in Computer Information Assurance & Security.
Even though Fran and Jay's health continued to deteriorate, they always found a way to preserve the family unity and continued going on trips, and celebrating traditions as the fall trips out to the Adirondacks, visiting the NY State Fair, Driving through Rome's Christmas attractions, and many others.
Fran and Jay always identified their life as a journey that they would continue together. Even though both of them have now passed, I am sure they are continuing that journey in the loving arms of their families who have passed before them.