Obituary : Lloyd M. Mayhew

Published: May 15, 2008

A memorial service for Lloyd M. Mayhew, a well-known Islander, will be held at Oak Grove Cemetery on State Road in Vineyard Haven, at 11 am on Saturday, May 17. Following the ceremony, friends may gather at the American Legion Hall for refreshments.

Lloyd was born at home in Chilmark on April 9, 1921, to Walter H. and Doris (Flanders) Mayhew. He attended the Chilmark and Tisbury Schools and was a Disabled Veteran of WW II, where he served in the U.S. Marine Corps. For many years, Lloyd was married to his high school sweetheart, Kathleen Brennan, the daughter of Chester and Catherine Brennan of Vineyard Haven. Though Lloyd lived most of this life in Vineyard Haven, he also lived in Fairhaven and Mattapoisett, and more recently lived in Melbourne, Fla., where he died on Friday, Jan. 4, at the age of 86.

He is survived by his wife, Hilda, of Fairhaven, and his four children, Jeanne Gravley of Viera, Fla.; L. Michael Mayhew of Norwell; Melinda Lock of Melbourne, Fla.; and Thomas Mayhew of Vineyard Haven.

Many will remember Lloyd as Commander of the American Legion; for his service to the Island in helping to build Memorial Park; and as a cancer survivor.

After his service to our country, Lloyd worked for many years for the New England Telephone and Telegraph Company, and then retired from Vineyard Ford as General Manager. He enjoyed golf, boating, and fishing, but his passion was woodworking. In his spare time, he designed buildings, built several homes, and created beautiful furniture. He was an excellent craftsman throughout his life.

Lloyd was predeceased by his parents and his brothers, Paul and Elliot Mayhew, and his sisters, Marian Mayhew, Ella Cullen, and Gail Mercer.

In loving memory, the family hopes you will join them as they say farewell to a man whose presence, personality, and talent will be greatly missed.