Isaac 'Ike' Mayo
Isaac "Ike" Mayo passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 12 after battling a long illness with ALS.
Throughout his illness and at his passing Ike was surrounded by family and friends.
Born on September 15, 1933 in Seattle to Maurice and Rachel Mayo, Ike graduated from Garfield High School and attended Seattle University and the University of Washington. After serving in the army, Ike returned home where he reconnected with the eventual love of his life, Esther Levy and was married for just short of 54 years. From their first meeting Esther was captivated by Ike's infectious smile. Ike's magnetic smile will be warmly remembered by all who knew him. Ike's outgoing nature led him to a career in the wholesale garment industry, a career that spanned 35 years. In 1977 Ike co-founded Apparel Ventures, which became one of the leading women's swimwear manufacturers in the country. Ike retired from Apparel Ventures in 1994. In retirement Ike and Esther traveled extensively with friends and family playing golf wherever there was a golf course. Ike, a sports enthusiast, was a season ticket holder, cheering on the Sonics, Mariners, Seahawks and Huskies. Pursuing his dream to someday own a team, Ike sponsored and coached the Bellevue semi-pro baseball team. Ike's lifelong friends all met in grade school. Until this past Tuesday, "the Lunch Club" as they were fondly called, met for lunch twice weekly. Throughout the years they golfed and traveled together sharing an unbreakable bond. Ike is survived by his wife Esther, daughter Pamela (Steve) Schwartz, son Mark, and his adoring grandchildren Emilie, Amanda, Sofia, Emma and Max; his sisters Jean Ben (Danny), Doris Hanan (Bob, z"l), brother Joey Mayo (Marcia) as well as numerous nephews and nieces. The family extends a special thanks to Ike's caregivers Alan, Francis, Melang, Ronnie and Tony; Shannon Bergstedt of the V.A., the ALS Evergreen Chapter and the caring doctors and nurses at Overlake Hospital's South 5. Ike was a member of Congregation Ezra Bessaroth, Glendale CC, and volunteered at Overlake Hospital for 13 years. The funeral service will be held Tuesday May 15 at 10:00 AM at Evergreen Washelli.
The family requests donations be made to Congregation Ezra Bessaroth or the ALS Evergreen Chapter
Published in The Seattle Times on May 15, 2012