Colin John Mayo

Colin John Mayo was born on April 17, 1962, to Janice Jeffrey and John Mayo in Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland, a proud Scotsman from the start. He is survived by his mum Janice Jeffrey (Edinburgh, Scotland), his father John (Johnny/Grandad) Mayo (Swansea, Wales), his doting wee brother Gavin Mayo (Dunfermline, Scotland), and the four shining stars of his life: his daughters Michaela, Brittany, Madeline, and Coralee, raised in the USA, but deeply rooted in their dad's love for Scotland. 

Michaela (32) followed in his footsteps with a career in insurance, an industry Colin mastered with a charming swagger only a Scotsman could pull off. Brittany (30) teaches near the beach, his favorite haunt, while Madeline (20) and Coralee (18), the wee bairns are thriving on scholarships at The University of Georgia following in their mother, Jessica Mayo's footsteps, much to his immense pride. If Colin had a favorite title in life, it was "dad," and he'd have told anyone willing to listen (or not) about the brilliance of his girls.

Colin left his beloved homeland for the bright lights of New York City at age 30, where his insurance career took off, bringing with it a lifetime of stories, legends, and a reputation as sharp as a Highland wind. In 2019, after three decades of living in the U.S., he achieved one of his proudest moments: becoming an official American citizen. But dinnea be fooled, his Scottish pride never faltered. He simply added "y'all" to his vocabulary without ever letting go of "aye" or "me old China."

Known for his love of people, Colin could charm the socks off anyone, be it in a pub, a boardroom, or the queue for fish and chips. A great storyteller, he was a master of turning a "short story long" with a twinkle in his eye and a mischievous grin. He was also a mentor, friend, and occasional devil's advocate who left a lasting impression on everyone fortunate enough to know him.

Football was a religion for Colin, and his loyalty to the Glasgow Rangers was fierce. As the founder of the Atlanta Rangers Supporters Club, he spent countless hours with his best lads at Fado's Pub, singing, laughing, and shouting at referees who clearly needed better glasses.

Fishing was another passion that stayed with him from his boyhood in Scotland, where he'd fly-fish and camp under the stars. Later in life, he traded lochs for Florida waters, where he competed in fishing tournaments and spent lazy days by the shore with a rod in hand, utterly at peace. His happy place was always by the water, preferably with a pint nearby. Quite a brave man spending all that time on the water considering he never learned to swim.

Colin was larger than life, a loyal friend, a devoted dad, a magnetic colleague, and a charming Scottish rogue to anyone who crossed his path. He lived boldly, laughed heartily, and left the world far too soon for anyone's liking. Still, we'll honor his legacy with a proper celebration late April for his 63rd birthday, at Fado's Pub in Atlanta, Georgia, where stories will flow like whisky, and his spirit will shine on.

As the Scots would say, "May the best you've ever seen be the worst you'll ever see."

Sleep soundly, Colin. You lived well, laughed often, and left a mark no one will forget.