Michael Mayo

Michael Mayo, formerly of Waterford and St. Johnsbury, VT, passed peacefully Saturday, March 30, 2024 at the Maine Veterans Home in Scarborough, ME. He was 84 years old. 

Mike was born on August 27, 1939 in St. Johnsbury, VT to Francis and Dometille (Bernier) Mayo. Born the youngest of 7 children, Mike and his siblings (Elaine Mayo Driscoll, Marceline Mayo Nadeau, Anne Mayo Brill, Fred Mayo, John Mayo, and Bernier Mayo) shared many happy and laughter-filled memories growing up together on Concord Avenue.

He is survived by his three children and their families: son Chris Mayo and his wife Suzanne of Billerica, Mass, and his granddaughters Natalie and Remi; daughter Karen Mayo Marsh and her husband Jeff of Wells, Maine and his granddaughters Ava and Poppy and step-grandchildren Olivia Marsh, Allison Marsh, and Evan Marsh; daughter Janet Mayo and her partner Jason McCann of Kennebunk, Maine his granddaughter Adrianne and grandson Michael. Mike is also survived by his sister Marceline Nadeau of NH, his sister-in-law Barbara Thurston and brother-in-law Ernest Thurston of St. Johnsbury, sister-in-law Virginia Cross and brother-in-law Ronald Cross of St. Johnsbury, plus numerous beloved nieces and nephews. 

Mike attended St. Johnsbury Academy and graduated in the class of 1957. Upon graduation, he joined the US Marine Corps and attended boot camp at Parris Island. He was later stationed in Beirut during the Lebanon Crisis. He also served at Camp Lejeune.

After serving, Mike returned to Vermont where he fell in love with his future wife Priscilla Cutting. They married on May 29, 1965 and shared 47 very happy years together before her passing in 2012.

Mike was a businessman and entrepreneur, owning and operating several successful businesses starting with Mayo’s Glass and expanding to home furnishings and floor coverings, paint, and more. Mike and Priscilla ran Mayo’s Decorating together until retirement. Mike was also a successful realtor, working at Begin & Donna and earning Realtor of the Year.

Mike and Priscilla enjoyed traveling together, including visits to Maine, Florida, Arizona, Switzerland, Portugal, and the Caribbean. They would often share many happy (and hilarious) vacations with his brother Bernier and his family. In retirement, Mike and Priscilla would take a month-long road trip each winter to travel the US.

Mike loved to laugh. He loved to tell jokes and often had his children roaring with laughter at his stories and witty one-liners. He enjoyed activities including Brown Pond Sportsman’s Club, golfing, fishing, boating, and morning coffee with friends. Everyone who knew him in St. Jay also knew his morning walk schedule which he maintained for decades.

Giving back to his community, Mike held various positions through the years including President of the Rotary Club, Chairman of the Waterford School Board, President of the St Johnsbury Country Club and he also served on the board at NVRH Hospital.  Mike was an active St. John’s Catholic Church member and served as an usher. He believed in donating time and money to others and supported many charities. Mike was always there for family or friends who needed kindness, support, or advice. 

Throughout his life and even during his illness, Mike’s easygoing and kind nature never left him. Nor did he ever lose the twinkle in his eye. To his final days he was blessing staff and family with an unbeatable smile that lifted everyone’s spirits.

Mike was our North Star.  He was our role model on how to live well, work hard, love your family and friends, and always take care of them. 

Every Mayo gathering overflows with laughter and love. Thus as we say farewell to our cherished father and Papa, we find great solace envisioning the amazing reunion he is now enjoying with beloved family members who have journeyed before him.

Calling hours will be Friday, April 5th from 5-7 pm. at Sayles Funeral Home, 525 Summer Street, St. Johnsbury, Vt. A funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, April 6 at 11 am at St. John the Evangelist Church, 49 Winter Street, St. Johnsbury, Vt. Burial will follow with Military honors at the Mt. Calvary Cemetery, 6 Johns Street, St. Johnsbury, Vt.

Donations in his memory may be made to Food for the Poor or Maine Veterans Home in Scarborough, Maine. 

Memories and condolences may be shared with family at CaledoniaLifeServices.com.