Gerard “Jay” M. Mayhew, age 82, of Rome, passed away peacefully on November 25, 2016, with his loving family at his side.
He was born July 8, 1934, in Utica, a son of the late Arthur and Katherine Caoutte Mayhew, and attended Utica schools. Jay was united in marriage to the former Frances Ann Morice, on June 4, 1960, St. Mary of Mount Carmel Church in Utica, a loving marriage of 56 Years; she died on November 8, 2016. He worked within civil engineering at Griffiss Air Force Base for many years until his retirement. He proudly served in the United States Marine Corps and was a veteran of the Korean War where he received the National Defense Service Ribbon, Korean Service Medal, and the UN Service medal for his service. He was a member of the Church of St. John the Baptist.
Jay is survived by a daughter, Tina M. Mayhew of Rome; a son, Michael J. Mayhew of Rome; a grandson, Michael T. Mayhew of Rome; two sisters, Ethel McDonald and Carol Fratte; two brothers, Dick Mayhew and Butch Matthews; a special nephew and niece Nick and Lorraine Mayhew, special niece and Goddaughter, Mary Ann Mayhew Jones, and loving nephews, Jeffrey Krauch and David Krauch, Jr. and several other nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his close brother, Clifford Mayhew and a sister, Joyce Hopsicker.
The Mayhew Family would like to express their sincere thanks to the Rome Dialysis Center, the EMTs of AmCare, CNY Cardiology of Utica, Dr. Ashish Regulagadda and Dr. Scott Brehaut as well as the staff at Faxton-St. Luke's Healthcare Center for their excellent care of Jay. Very special thanks to Nick and Lorraine Mayhew, and Mary Ann Mayhew Jones for being with Jay and his family during this difficult time.
Funeral services will be held Thursday at 10:15 AM from the Barry Funeral Home, 807 W. Chestnut Street, and a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated by Rev. Robert L. Kelly, at 11:00 AM at the Church of St. John the Baptist. Burial with Military Honors will be in St. John the Baptist Cemetery.
Relatives and friends may call at the funeral home, Wednesday 4 to 7 PM.
Jay’s History
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.
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