David S. Mayo

The world became a brighter place the day that David Mayo was welcomed into the hearts of his family and friends.  Sadly, my loving husband passed away on Wednesday February 15th, 2023 while at home surrounded by loved ones.

David found such joy in bringing a smile to everyone’s face whether it was breaking out into a funky dance in the store parking lot or just taking his wife’s hand in the grocery store checkout line to dance with her to their own music.

He was an imperfect man yet still the perfect man for us to love and be loved by.  When he loved, it was with his whole heart and soul.  His greatest joy in life was being a father and grandfather and he would often say that his grandchildren brightened his day just by smiling.  Every day he told his wife, Shanleigh, that she was beautiful and that he loved her.  He considered his wife to be his one true love.  He believed she was his light in the darkness and carved it into leather which adorns the wall in the family’s home.

David was highly thought of and considered a great man by many who knew him.  Whether they be family, friends, or an acquaintance he made an impact on each life that he touched by sharing a conversation, his funny jokes, his smile, and his time.  He was very forgiving and understanding of others and their trials.  He kept an open mind and didn’t judge.  It was just his way.

A man with many interests, David was a true metal lover, a sword admirer and collector, a movie fanatic, a gun aficionado, and a talented leather craftsman.  

David loved a good debate especially if it involved Glocks versus the 1911’s which he loved so much.  When asked who won, if it was Pooh Bear or Zebra Master, he would always reply, “it was a draw”.

His love of 80’s hair bands is not to be outdone by his love of Metallica.  Hands down, Metallica was definitely his favorite group and Fade to Black his favorite song.  He will hear it once again on the day der Baum protects and shelters him.

David could often be found admiring swords online and making his wish lists of which ones he would like to add to his collection on display in the home.  David would have a smile so bright every time his grandson would ask, “can I see Opa’s sword?”.

A movie fanatic whether at home with his family or at the theater, David enjoyed most genres.  He enjoyed watching them all from action, martial arts, and the animated The Last Airbender to a chick flick one of his daughters picked out.

David spent most of his free time perfecting his leather craftsmanship.  He truly crafted from the heart and put his all into each project from its inception.  So much attention to detail, love, and patience was shown in the  drawing of his project templates, sewing each piece by hand, dyeing the leather, creating each beautiful masterpiece, and sitting at the work table with his grandson to teach him the craft.

David was a brave & valiant warrior who faced each of his tough battles head on.  He never gave up; not when he became legally blind in 2018 and not when he was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer in 2021.  More than anything, he wanted to live and he had a good chance.  Afterall the Cancer was found still in stage 1 which is considered a rare discovery and the outlook was positive.  David’s journey was fraught with so many obstacles to overcome.  His chemotherapy medications gave him a fighting chance but so many obstacles…

The 1st obstacle was anaphylaxis from the first chemo medication.  The 2nd obstacle was chemo medication toxicity which caused a rare blood anemia called aHUS.  He persevered and made it through although it was a close call.  The 3rd obstacle was the radiation failing to help.  The 4th obstacle occurred when he was going to have a complicated surgery to remove the cancer.  They found it had spread to a distant site.  So he went into surgery in stage 1 and came out in stage 4.  His prognosis was now 6 months to a year.  The 5th obstacle was that despite going on chemo medication after surgery, it had stopped slowing the spread of the Cancer.  David would say he was living on borrowed time but that he still wanted to live.  

David did everything he could to live every day full of life and love for his family.  He never stopped.  David left this mortal plain in comfort and at peace.  He will be missed more than he ever could have imagined.  He is loved by so many.  While we wish that he didn’t have to go, we know the time had come for him to feel no more pain.  

He said he was going to beat 12 months and he did, by 6 days.

You are loved

David, my husband, my true love, my best friend, my soulmate.

I loved you then.  I love you now.  I shall love you always.

I can still feel your hand in mine.  I can still see the smile in your eyes.  

I can still hear your voice and the love you feel for me, our children, and our families.

You are the best person I have ever known and I am so blessed to have found you.

It warms my heart to know that your pain is gone and you can smile again.

You are loved by so many and loved so much more than you can imagine.

The ‘Little man’ who held your photo close, with his stuffed dog and kitty looking on, so he could fall asleep with his Opa.  In his own words “ Bye Opa, see you next time”…he loves you

The ‘Pretty girl’ who looked for you today and wanted to take every picture of you home with her…she loves you

The ‘Sweetheart’ who misses you from far away and says she is going to grow up and make a potion so that no one else leaves us…she loves you

The ‘Princess ladybug’ who looks to your chair hoping to see your smile…she loves you

Our Daughters who feel such a depth of love for you that no man, other than their soulmate, can possibly compete…they love you

The Son who holds you is such high regard that your name will forever remain upon his arm…he loves you

The Mother who looks forward to seeing her ‘baby boy’ once again, she’ll be sure to hang on tight and never let go…she loves you

The Mother who knows you were looking over her and keeping her safe so that she may have many more years enjoying her family…she loves you

The Father who will drop everything to be there for you and let us talk for hours…he loves you

The Father who has waited so many years to see you again and would be content to wait more…he is waiting with open arms to welcome you home…he loves you

The Brother who has so many stories yet to share of all of the crazy things you did growing up.  So far away yet always so close to the heart…he loves you

The Brother who is always there in a pinch, ready to help if he can.  Never a complaint to be heard…he loves you

The Sister who has a smile for all and loves to host the holiday dinners.  Thanksgiving will be a memory to cherish for all…she loves you

The Sister with a heart of gold who would do anything she could to help…she loves you

The Friends Pat & Pat, brothers to you, know that you are dining at the table of the ancestors sharing stories of your life, family, and friends.  When it is their turn for the doors of Valhalla to open, they know you will be waiting to welcome them only to ask, “what took you so long”?...they love you

The Family and Friends who think of you and wish they could see you one more time…they love you

Never worry that you will be forgotten.  

You will be remembered by so many.

So many memories. So many moments.  So many stories.   

You will be remembered.

I know that our love for each other is everlasting in this life as it will be in the next.

I know that you will always be with me.  

You would never let go of me.

I say I love you.  You say that you love me more.

To Infinity and Beyond, my love.

His wife, Shanleigh Mayo; Daughter & Son-in-law, Caroline and Matthew O’Brien of Washington, NH; Daughter, Helen Lovejoy of Nashua, NH; Daughter, Cassandra Lovejoy of Manchester, NH;  Daughter, Heather Lovejoy of Manchester, NH; Daughter, Haley Mayo of Manchester, NH; Granddaughter, Meghan O’Brien of N.Dakota; Grandson, Everett O’Brien of Washington, NH; Aspen O’Brien of Washington, NH, Natalie Lovejoy of Manchester, NH.

Mother & Father, Linda Mayo and the late David Mayo of Auburn, MA; Brother and Sister-in-law, Daniel & Lisa Mayo of Auburn, MA; Nephew, Daniel Mayo Jr of Auburn, MA; Niece, Arianna Clarke of MA; Nephew, Bradley Burroughs of Auburn, MA; Niece, Bella Custode of Auburn, MA.

Mother-in-law & Father-in-law, Margaret & Dean Little of MA; Father-in-law, Robert Ernst of Ayer, MA; Sister-in-law, Amanda Ernst of MA; Brother-in-law, John Ernst of MA; Brother-in-law, Daniel Ernst of MA; Brother-in-law, Dean A. Little of MA.

Aunt & Uncle, Bob & Peggy Boyd of N. Oxford, MA; Aunt, Martha Capoccia of Rochdale, MA;  Aunt & Uncle, Bruce & Linda Martin of Acton, ME; Uncle, Christopher Martin of Auburn, NH; Godmother, Jean Koleshis of Ware, MA; and his cousins, Jennifer Martin of Millbury, MA; Amanda Lange of Millbury, MA; Christopher Martin Jr; Tracy Latour of Charlton Depot, MA; Wendy Clark of Baldwin, ME; Bruce Martin of Gloucester, RI; Robert Stonebarger of Anderson, IN

He will be remembered fondly by: 

John & Karyl Paul

Philip Bean

The Swope Family

In lieu of flowers please visit David’s Go Fund Me page which is raising funds to assist with interment costs and to provide comfort and support for his family in their time of need.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/david-s-mayo?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=p_cf+share-flow-1