Thomas Richard Mayhew

Thomas Richard Mayhew, age 89, passed away on September 25, 2024 at Pennswood Village, Newtown PA.
He is survived by his loving wife of thirty-seven years, Rosemarie Bockman, son Stephen (Veronica) Mayhew, daughter Karen Sica, grandchildren Scott Mayhew, Sierra Jenkins, Danny Sica, and Jennifer Sica. Step sons Donald (Tracy) Bockman, Robert (Kim) Bockman, Christopher (Theresa) Bockman, step daughter Bonnie (Glen) Gardner, seven step grandchildren, and 11 great grandchildren.
Tom grew up on Long Island in New York near Lake Ronkonkoma and then Miami, Florida where he was a member of the high school track team and the marching band.
After obtaining a degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Florida, Gainesville, Tom was recruited by RCA in Camden, New Jersey to work in development. His particular specialty was integrated circuitry microchips and early computer design, and during his thirty-eight-year career at RCA, he was awarded nine patents for his innovations. He also obtained an M.S. In Electrical Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania.
Gardening was a part of Tom's life from his earliest days, when he enjoyed digging and planting in his father's Victory Garden during World War II. He grew roses most of his adult life, and his home in Langhorne has more than seven hundred varieties of roses (all labelled of course).
He was a member of the American Rose Society since 1985, and was a certified Master Consultant Rosarian and Horticulture Judge for the Rose Society. For his eightieth birthday, Tom was honored by having a rose named after him, the Tom Mayhew.
His other avocation, photography, is interwoven with his rose gardens. Tom first became interested in photography in high school when he obtained a camera and began to take photographs particularly of subjects in nature. His photographs of roses have appeared in numerous newsletters and magazines, and he was a member of the American Rose Society Photo Guidelines Committee.
Tom was a kind and generous man. He will be remembered for his unequivocal passion for roses and many accomplishments, nominations and awards as a Rosarian and photographer of birds, animals, nature and, of course, roses.
Tom Mayhew, the man, the myth, the rose.
Family and friends are invited to Tom's Life Celebration on Friday, October 11, 2024 10:30am-12:00pm at Dunn-Givnish Funeral Home, 378 South Bellevue Avenue, Langhorne, PA 19047. Immediately following at noon, there will be a time for sharing by his family.
Interment at Sunset Memorial Park, Huntingdon Valley, PA.
1-800-GIVNISH