Obituary of Joseph Mayes

Ephraim Joseph Mayes

1930 - 2025

On March 18, 2025, after 94 years of a life filled with joy, Ephraim Joseph Mayes, affectionately  known, as Joe, peacefully passed away in Franklin, Tennessee.

Born on May 27, 1930, to Ephraim and Florence Roy Mayes, Joe grew up in Fall River, MA.  He graduated from Durfee High School before joining the US Air Force.  After serving in the Korean War, Joe was honorably discharged.  Joe made Rome, NY, his home where he met and married the love of his life, Margaret “Dolly” Galluppi on July 30,1955 at St. John the Baptist Church.  Joe and Dolly were inseparable for almost 70 years.  Their marriage was a wonderful love story for the ages, a true partnership built on love and respect.  It was an amazing sight to watch Joe and Dolly jitterbug across the dance floor.  In January of 2024, Joe and Dolly relocated to Franklin, Tennessee, to be near family.

Joe worked at Western Electric Corp, and then for over 32 years as a civilian employee for the Department of Defense in the 485^th Engineering Group at Griffiss AFB.  During these years he traveled extensively throughout the United States and Europe, implementing Communication Systems.  Highlights of his career included working in Munich Germany, the Iranian Embassy, and the Pentagon, installing secure telephone systems.  Joe was a resolute employee and received many awards for his hard work and dedication.

At home, Joe was an excellent cook and with Dolly would often host family gatherings providing wonderful meals of pork pies and clam boils that were reminiscent of his upbringing.  Joe was a member of the Holy Name Society and served as an usher at St. John the Baptist Church for many years.  Even though Joe was a Yankee fan, he would always root for the local teams wherever he was.

Joe is survived by his wife of almost 70 years, Margaret “Dolly” Mayes, Franklin, TN and many nieces and nephews.

Joe is predeceased by his parents; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Louis and Frances Galluppi, Michael and Antoinette Galluppi, Joesph Galluppi, Frances and John Verminski, Mary Galluppi, Amelia and Canio Nigro, Carmella and Boyd Wynne, Tomasina Maxim, Barbara and Jim Wells; niece, Lori Wynne Augustine; and nephews, Michael “Mickey” Galluppi, Peter Galluppi, and Sebastian “Sonny” Galluppi.

A Mass of Christian Burial will celebrated, on Saturday, March 29, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., at St. John the Baptist Church, 210 E. Dominick St., Rome, NY, with the Rev. Paul F. Angelicchio officiating.  Family and friends may call at the Nicholas J. Bush Funeral Home, Inc., 7751 Merrick Rd., Rome, on Friday, March 28, 2025, from 4-6 p.m. Burial will be in St. John the Baptist Cemetery. 

To offer online condolences, please visit www.njbushfuneralhome.com