FRANKLIN YORK MAYO
WILBRAHAM, MA – York Mayo, 73, a dedicated business and community leader and friend to all, died peacefully on Monday, April 20, 2015.
He was born on July 16, 1941 in Elmira, NY, to the late Frank and Velma (Wray) Mayo. York grew up in Ithaca, NY and graduated from Hobart College, Geneva, NY, with a B.S. Degree in Economics.
In 1969, he joined the American Saw and Manufacturing Company, East Longmeadow, MA. Over the course of his thirty year career, he held the positions of Lenox Sales Representative, Vice President of International Sales, and Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing. In 1999, York read the book The Theology Hammer, by Millard Fuller, founder of Habitat For Humanity. He was so inspired by the book and his eventual friendship with Millard, York felt called to retire early and become the Executive Director of the Springfield Habitat for Humanity affiliate. For the next three years, he chose to work there without a salary.
Next, he became Interim CEO and President of Goodwill Industries, Springfield/Hartford; and Interim Executive Director of Girls Inc. of Holyoke. He was an enthusiastic Community Volunteer, serving as chairman of capital campaigns for EcoBuilding Bargains and the Roger L. Putnam Technical Fund; the Advisory Board of ROCA, Co-Founder of the Millbrook Scholars; Co-Founder of the Springfield Unity Festival; mentor to numerous people of all ages; and member of several boards and committees, regionally and nationally. York has received many awards, including an Honorary Degree from the Springfield Technical Community College; the William Pynchon Award; the United Way “Spirit of Caring Award”, the Western New England University Presidential Medallion; the National Conference for Community and Justice “ Human Relations Award ”; the Springfield Rotary “Service Above Self Award”; and an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters Degree from Bay Path University. He was a member of Christ the King Lutheran Church of Wilbraham, serving on the Council, the Choir, and various committees. He was a member of the Wilbraham Men’s Glee Club.
York leaves his beloved wife of 51 years, Elizabeth “Buffy” Mayo; two daughters, Mary Mayo Williams and her husband Peter, of Norwich, NY, and Kelly Mayo Nygren and her husband Kenneth of Wilbraham; five grandchildren, Richard York Bonney and Brooke Bonney; and Cecilia, Daniel, and Anders Nygren. In addition, York is survived by his sisters, Doris Matthews and Mary Kohm and her husband Joseph; in-laws Virginia Johnson and John and Marcia Ott; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Finally, York will forever be remembered for his deep faith, his love for others, his very pink pickup truck named “The Pink-Up”, his hearty laugh, and his booming bass voice singing “Blue Suede Shoes”.
Visitation hours will be held on Saturday, April 27, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., at the Wilbraham Funeral Home, 2551 Boston Rd., Wilbraham. The funeral service will take place on Monday, April 25, at 10 a.m., at St. Cecilia’s Church, 42 Main St., Wilbraham. A private burial for family members only will take place at the Adams Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in York’s name may be made to Christ the King Lutheran Church, 758 Main St.,Wilbraham, MA 01095.