Monday, March 28, 2011
Saturday, March 19, 2011
From Danny’s Little Sister (OK, Younger Sister)
I was blessed to grow up in a home filled with love, laughter, and great conversation. I was further blessed with two most excellent brothers! The oldest was Danny Mayo.
The best word I can think of to describe Dan is thoughtful. He had this huge file cabinet in his head and he had files in it for everyone he ever talked with. You could have a casual conversation with him about some shared interest and days, or months, or even years later you might get a call or a note or an e-mail about the subject and be amazed that he remembered something from a casual conversation like that. I always looked forward to the phone calls that started out “Hey sis, I saw something today I thought you would like…” They made me feel special! I think Dan really was in his element when e-mail became widespread. I would frequently start my day with a giggle when I checked my e-mail and found some cartoon in questionable taste that he’d sent me at three o’clock in the morning. Since we lost him I’ve gone through some of his things looking for information and found so many items printed from the internet, torn from a magazine or jotted down and it makes me sad that someone is going to miss their “tidbit from Danny”.
Like our father, Joe, Danny was a natural leader. He had a knack for seeing potential in people and figuring out how to get the best effort they had to give. With ladies he was more likely to lead by inclusion. He would just generate enough enthusiasm for a project that we all wanted to help. Dan grew up surrounded by strong and intelligent women, primarily our mother, JoAnn, but our grandmother and some special aunts and other ladies as well. He treated women as equals in work and play but felt we were always to be protected. I don’t remember a time when he didn’t have really good female friends, even when he was a little boy. It’s an old fashioned word but Dan was chivalrous. He would hold doors and chairs, take your elbow or put his hand on your back when you crossed the street or climbed stairs, and made so many other gentlemanly gestures. I’ve worked side by side with Danny doing things that are not traditionally female activities and he was always sensitive enough to let me try and helped where he could and encouraged where he could, and was never condescending. He would draw the line if he felt you were trying to do too much or putting yourself in jeopardy. If I was getting ready to pick up something icky or too heavy he would nudge me out of the way with his hip and say, “Just get out of the way sis, I’ve got this.” He cherished all women.
With men he led by example. He would never ask anyone to do more than, or even as much as he was willing to do himself. It was a point of pride to him to help other people live up to their potential and he would instruct where necessary, assist when necessary, and harangue when he thought it was appropriate. So many new friends I’ve been able to share with Danny since his passing have mentioned him being a teacher, a mentor, a father, a brother, and so many have told me they felt they were better people for knowing Dan. Those are the ones who “got” Danny. For those of you who might have felt that Dan was too harsh a taskmaster, too hard on people, or expected too much I advise you to look back at a time when you felt that way and listen with your heart. If Danny pushed you and demanded your best and griped at you until he got it, it’s because he knew what you could accomplish and wanted you to see it too. And at the moment he stopped griping and let you lay down your tools, your heart should hear him saying, “Well done, I’m proud of you.”
Growing up in a home with “good men” like my dad and my brother Danny and our brother Mike, who is different but no less excellent than Dan, prepared me to find Jack, the “good man” I married. I’ve always been able to see traits from the past generation in Dan; the way he would laugh sometimes or the way he would greet people or the way he wouldn’t back down in a spirited discussion. Sometimes in my own sons and daughter, my nieces and nephew, my brother and his wife, my husband, and in my new friends that were Danny’s work family I can see something of Danny and it makes me happy that he’s still alive in us all.
Debbie Dooley
The best word I can think of to describe Dan is thoughtful. He had this huge file cabinet in his head and he had files in it for everyone he ever talked with. You could have a casual conversation with him about some shared interest and days, or months, or even years later you might get a call or a note or an e-mail about the subject and be amazed that he remembered something from a casual conversation like that. I always looked forward to the phone calls that started out “Hey sis, I saw something today I thought you would like…” They made me feel special! I think Dan really was in his element when e-mail became widespread. I would frequently start my day with a giggle when I checked my e-mail and found some cartoon in questionable taste that he’d sent me at three o’clock in the morning. Since we lost him I’ve gone through some of his things looking for information and found so many items printed from the internet, torn from a magazine or jotted down and it makes me sad that someone is going to miss their “tidbit from Danny”.
Like our father, Joe, Danny was a natural leader. He had a knack for seeing potential in people and figuring out how to get the best effort they had to give. With ladies he was more likely to lead by inclusion. He would just generate enough enthusiasm for a project that we all wanted to help. Dan grew up surrounded by strong and intelligent women, primarily our mother, JoAnn, but our grandmother and some special aunts and other ladies as well. He treated women as equals in work and play but felt we were always to be protected. I don’t remember a time when he didn’t have really good female friends, even when he was a little boy. It’s an old fashioned word but Dan was chivalrous. He would hold doors and chairs, take your elbow or put his hand on your back when you crossed the street or climbed stairs, and made so many other gentlemanly gestures. I’ve worked side by side with Danny doing things that are not traditionally female activities and he was always sensitive enough to let me try and helped where he could and encouraged where he could, and was never condescending. He would draw the line if he felt you were trying to do too much or putting yourself in jeopardy. If I was getting ready to pick up something icky or too heavy he would nudge me out of the way with his hip and say, “Just get out of the way sis, I’ve got this.” He cherished all women.
With men he led by example. He would never ask anyone to do more than, or even as much as he was willing to do himself. It was a point of pride to him to help other people live up to their potential and he would instruct where necessary, assist when necessary, and harangue when he thought it was appropriate. So many new friends I’ve been able to share with Danny since his passing have mentioned him being a teacher, a mentor, a father, a brother, and so many have told me they felt they were better people for knowing Dan. Those are the ones who “got” Danny. For those of you who might have felt that Dan was too harsh a taskmaster, too hard on people, or expected too much I advise you to look back at a time when you felt that way and listen with your heart. If Danny pushed you and demanded your best and griped at you until he got it, it’s because he knew what you could accomplish and wanted you to see it too. And at the moment he stopped griping and let you lay down your tools, your heart should hear him saying, “Well done, I’m proud of you.”
Growing up in a home with “good men” like my dad and my brother Danny and our brother Mike, who is different but no less excellent than Dan, prepared me to find Jack, the “good man” I married. I’ve always been able to see traits from the past generation in Dan; the way he would laugh sometimes or the way he would greet people or the way he wouldn’t back down in a spirited discussion. Sometimes in my own sons and daughter, my nieces and nephew, my brother and his wife, my husband, and in my new friends that were Danny’s work family I can see something of Danny and it makes me happy that he’s still alive in us all.
Debbie Dooley
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Michael Waggoner
Danny worked for me at Cowtown Ballroom and of course in all the other ventures we did from the Midland Theatre to Arrowhead Stadium back in the 1970’s. I spoke with him last year and he sounded super. I was saddened to hear about his passing.
…this is difficult because Danny was one of those extra special people who would help everybody else before himself.
-mw
…this is difficult because Danny was one of those extra special people who would help everybody else before himself.
-mw
Dan Ayers - ETCP
Jeremy,
I was quite sad this morning to hear about Danny. I've known him for about 10 years, mostly through local 31 work. Thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.
Dan Ayers - ETCP
I was quite sad this morning to hear about Danny. I've known him for about 10 years, mostly through local 31 work. Thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.
Dan Ayers - ETCP
Kim Walker, CMP
Jeremy – I was so sad to hear about Dan – he was and ever will be one of the best lighting directors around – not to mention his creativity. I was looking forward to getting together with Dan and your team in May – I’m so sorry for this devastating loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your DSS family, Jeremy.
Warmest regards,
Kim Walker, CMP
Kim Hoffman
Jeremy,
Thank you for this beautifully written Memorial, you captured Dan's true being- he would be pleased ~
Dan was so special to me, when I think of the more than a decade that we worked side by side to produce Fashion Shows at the Music Hall and Midland Theatre it is no wonder we became so close.
His level of creativity and imagination was so far out there that I knew I trusted him when he would describe a set or lighting for a scene, and it sounded so bizarre...but because it was Dan I would say "let's go with it," it ended up being my favorite segment of the Show and he Loved hearing the crowds response and me smiling from ear to ear! He loved his work...he gave every show his all. he was a consummate professional!
Sincerely,
Kim Hoffman
Thank you for this beautifully written Memorial, you captured Dan's true being- he would be pleased ~
Dan was so special to me, when I think of the more than a decade that we worked side by side to produce Fashion Shows at the Music Hall and Midland Theatre it is no wonder we became so close.
His level of creativity and imagination was so far out there that I knew I trusted him when he would describe a set or lighting for a scene, and it sounded so bizarre...but because it was Dan I would say "let's go with it," it ended up being my favorite segment of the Show and he Loved hearing the crowds response and me smiling from ear to ear! He loved his work...he gave every show his all. he was a consummate professional!
Sincerely,
Kim Hoffman
Keli O'Neill Wenzel
Hi Jeremy -
Sorry to hear about the passing of Danny Mayo. Please know that you and your company are in my thoughts and prayers.
Keli O'Neill Wenzel
Sorry to hear about the passing of Danny Mayo. Please know that you and your company are in my thoughts and prayers.
Keli O'Neill Wenzel
Keith Kankovsky
I am so sorry for the untimely passing of our friend Dan Mayo. Our prayers for Dan's family and friends seem to be all we can offer at this point, along with our sincere appreciation for having the good fortune to know him these last ten years or so. It was Dan who called me when he joined DSS to convince me that it would be worth any risk to work directly together again. He was right. We have had not only great business dealings with your company but have also found ourselves among friends. The 'face of Apollo' in Kansas was often that of Dan Mayo, and for that we celebrate.
As you've mentioned in your blog post, Dan will be impossible to replace as a coworker, mentor and friend. The shuffling of responsibilities at DSS can be neither easy nor enjoyable. We would like to assist however possible during this transitional time. With whom shall we direct email correspondence regarding lighting expendables?
Please accept my most sincere sympathies as we share your sorrow,
Keith Kankovsky
As you've mentioned in your blog post, Dan will be impossible to replace as a coworker, mentor and friend. The shuffling of responsibilities at DSS can be neither easy nor enjoyable. We would like to assist however possible during this transitional time. With whom shall we direct email correspondence regarding lighting expendables?
Please accept my most sincere sympathies as we share your sorrow,
Keith Kankovsky
braxton
I am so sorry to hear about the passing of Danny. I only worked with him a few times - but in those few times I think I learned about him what you so eloquently posted on your website. He was a great man who won't soon be forgotten.
Brad
I just got back in from North Carolina and heard of Danny's untimely passing. Please accept and pass along my condolences from me and Downhome. As soon as you know of arrangements for services, I'd like to know. If at all possible I would like to attend.
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