Mark W Mayo

MAYO, Mark William, Captain RCN, C.F. – 88, (born 1923) died of mesothelioma on November 2, 2011 in the presence of his family at Veteran’s Memorial Hospital, Halifax. Born in Saint John, New Brunswick, Mark was the son of William John and Hallie Emily McElwain. He was educated at Rothesay Consolidated School.

In 1941, fulfilling a boyhood ambition, Mark joined the Royal Canadian Navy as an officer cadet and attended Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, England. He served as a midshipman in the British battleship HMS Nelson and in the destroyer HMS Tumult in the Atlantic and Mediterranean. He took part in the invasions of North Africa, Sicily and at Salerno on the mainland of Italy.

After being repatriated to Canada by hospital ship for surgery in the spring of 1944, Mark returned to naval service. On completion of further officer training in the UK, he served in HMCS Iroquois in the eastern Atlantic until the end of the war in Europe. He then served in the cruiser HMCS Ontario during her deployment to the Far East in 1945. Immediately after VJ day, he was in charge of the naval landing company to secure Hong Kong after the Japanese surrendered. Mark served again in the western Pacific at the close of the Korean hostilities.

He commanded several ships during his long naval career: HMCS Haida, Iroquois, Saskatchewan and Preserver. He served twice at Canadian Forces Headquarters, Ottawa as well as on the staff of NATO Headquarters, Brussels, Belguim.

Included in Mark’s medals and decorations were five Campaign Stars and Medals for service e in Korea and with NATO. He was awarded the George Cross Fiftieth Anniversary Medal by the government of Malta convoy of August 1942. He was also awarded the Russian Convoy Medal by the Soviet Union for participation in Russian convoy duties.

In 1977, Mark retired from the Regular Canadian Forces, while continuing to serve in the Reserve Navy as a trained Convoy Commodore. In the civilian life, he was employed as Master Attendant with Queen’s Harbour Master in Halifax. He retired from that position in 1987 and busied himself as a IWK Children’s Hospital volunteer, at church work at Saint John the Baptist and at his hobbies of wood working and gardening. He was a member of the Nova Scotia Naval Officers Association and the HMCS Sackville Canadian Naval Memorial Trust

Mark Mayo is survived by his wife of 64 years, the former Joan Kruger, four daughters: Roseary Tayler of Ottawa; Ann McKennirey (John) of Carleton Place, Ont; Margaret Heard (Stephen) and Catherine Woodman (MacDara), both of Halifax; by one sister, Elizabeth Bass, Grand Manan, NB; by two brothers, John Mayo , Elora, Ont, Gerald mayo, Nashwook Village, NB. He was predeceased by sister, Joyce; brothers, Bernard, Medley and Brian.

“Opa” Mayo will be greatly missed by grandchildren, Kathleen Smith, Emma McKinnirey, Brigid Crichton, Luke Mayo McKinnirey, Clare McKinnirey, John Bernard McKinnirey, Meagan Heard, Alison Heard, Liam Mark Woodman, Maura Woodman, Bernadette Woodman; by great grandchildren, Gabrielle Smith, Olivia Smith, Sophia Smith and Alastair Crichton.

Visitation is from 4-6 Pm on Friday, November 4, 2011 at J.A. snow funeral Home, 339 Lacewood Drive, Halifax (902)-455-0531. The Funeral will be at Saint John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church on Purcell’s Cove Road at 11 AM Saturday,