W. Dwight Mayo

Willard "Dwight" Mayo Sr., age 70, departed this life early Friday morning, December 8, 2017 at Shadyside Hospital in Pittsburgh, PA.

Dwight was born January 26, 1947 in Steubenville, Ohio, to Willard Mayo and Louise (Harris) Mayo.  In 19565, the family moved to Columbus, OH, where Dwight attended Columbus public schools and graduated from Linden McKinley High School in 1965.  Upon graduation, Dwight attended Ohio State University briefly, then decided to join the United States Air Force and was stationed in Maine.  After serving his country, he moved to Pittsburgh, PA in 1971 to attend the University of Pittsburgh; he obtained an Accounting degree in 1975 and a Masters of Public Administration degree in 1977.

After working at the New Castle Juvenile Detention Center as a counselor for incarcerated youth, Dwight began his journey into entrepreneurship; he opened his first car wash at UPMC Tower View garage in 1990.  He expanded his car washing business to include servicing the entire fleet of UPMC cars and shuttles and began his career as the owner of T/C Unlimited (later renamed Transportation Solutions) serving the Oakland area at UPMC facilities.  As UPMC expanded its services, Dwight expanded his business, essentially becoming the sole transportation provider for all of the UPMC facilities in the Pittsburgh area.  Dwight ran his company with compassion and care, maintaining a staff that was composed of 90 percent minority and personally training his shuttle drivers in order that they could obtain commercial driver licenses.  After enjoying a very brief retirement from Transportation Solutions, Dwight joined Urban Innovation 21 as a business consultant who assisted in developing a business model, as well as teaching future entrepreneurs how to create business plans.

Throughout his professional life, Dwight received numerous awards and recognition for being a successful minority business owner in the Pittsburgh region.  More than a "boss" to his employees, he was a constant motivator, confidant and father figure; Dwight was a strong male figure to youth throughout the area.

While attending the University of Pittsburgh, Dwight met the love of his life, Glenda S. Jenkins.  They were married on July 6, 1973 and had two sons, W. Dwight Mayo, Jr., and Michael A. Mayo.  He was very proud of his sons' accomplishments; Dwight Jr., as CEO of DM & K Construction and Michael, as a cardiovascular perfusionist.  Dwight enjoyed his entire family; his grandchildren, Micah and Miyah were the "apple of his eye"!  He and Glenda loved to entertain and often hosted friends and family for cookouts, football parties and holiday gatherings.  A member of The Executive Golf Club, Dwight was an avid golfer.  He loved to play cards and belonged ot the Pullman's Bid Whist Club.  Dwight also enjoyed travelling, playing chess,, card games and Sudoku.

Dwight was preceded in death by his father, Willard Mayo.  He is survived by his loving wife, Glenda Mayo; sons, Dwight Mayo Jr. (Tricia) and Michael Mayo (Claudette) of Brooklyn, NY; grandson, Micah J. Mayo and granddaughter, Miyah L. Mayo; Mother, Louise Carter of Columbus, OH; sisters, Jacqueline Johnson of Columbus, OH, Sandra Hemphill (Lewis, Sr.) of Dallas, TX, Pat Mayo, and Geri Mayo, both of Philadelphia, PA; aunts, Marylou Brown of Columbus, OH, Beatrice Bridges of Columbus, OH, Martha Ellis of Charlotte, NC and Rosa Price of Columbus, OH; uncles, Ted Harris of Columbus, OH, James Harris of Fruitland Park, FL and Emanuel Harris of Miami, FL; 6 sisters-in-law and 2 brothers-in-law; 2 goddaughters, Kirsten Madison and Alexandra Herbin, godson Marcus Grinage and a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends.