Producer Gayle S. Maffeo (1941-2022) - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Zoneboy · 09-13-2022, 12:01 AM

https://tinyurl.com/2tw73d57

April 29, 1941 - September 9, 2022 Gayle S. Maffeo, veteran Television Producer, beloved partner, mother, sister, aunt and friend, passed away in her home on September 9, 2022 surrounded by those she loved the most. She was 81.

Gayle Arden Sickinger Maffeo was born on April 29, 1941, in Evanston, Illinois, to Virginia (Klapp) and Kenneth Sickinger and between her two siblings Timothy and Kendall (Rojas). After the loss of her father to Leukemia at age 35, Gayle's mother married Orville Tousey, bringing two additional cherished brothers, Mike and Tim, to her life and moving the family to Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Soon after, the blended family relocated to Darien, Connecticut.

Gayle forged a path early, earning her Associate of Arts degree from Centenary College (NJ) in 1961. A passionate believer in her alma mater, she later contributed as one of the founders of the President's Circle Alumnae Association.

Gayle wasted no time launching into her Television career, getting her start in the programming department at CBS in New York. While a primarily male-driven industry, she broke ground, progressing quickly as a script supervisor on "The Sid Caesar Show" and "The Perry Como Show" and working 6 years as Jack Benny's Associate Producer until his death in 1974. She also worked on several variety specials with such legendary entertainers as Frank Sinatra and George Burns before moving into situation comedies.

She continued to blaze trails, advancing to Producer on a variety of successful sitcoms including "Buffalo Bill," "Head of the Class," "Mary" with Mary Tyler Moore, "Carol & Company" with Carol Burnett and "Roseanne." She then served as Senior Vice President of Television for Wind Dancer Production Group and served as Producer for all eight seasons of the hit ABC series "Home Improvement". In addition, she produced Wind Dancer shows "Thunder Alley," "Buddies" and "Soul Man".

Gayle was a member of the Directors Guild, Women in Film, The Hollywood Television and Radio Society, The Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, The Producers Guild and served on the board of The American Association of Producers, which she also co-founded.

She was married to Neil T. Maffeo until his death in 1990. She is survived by her partner Kenneth Anderson, daughter Laura Maffeo and son Ken Maffeo, Daughter-in-law Elizabeth Koval Maffeo and grandson Dante Maffeo and an abundance of family and friends who were so very fortunate to have known her and will forever have a gap in their hearts that she had so graciously filled.

Johnny be good! · 09-13-2022, 01:06 PM

She was awesome.

Dude111 · 09-13-2022, 06:29 PM

Very sad

09-13-2022, 12:01 AM	#1
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,467	Producer Gayle S. Maffeo (1941-2022) https://tinyurl.com/2tw73d57 April 29, 1941 - September 9, 2022 Gayle S. Maffeo, veteran Television Producer, beloved partner, mother, sister, aunt and friend, passed away in her home on September 9, 2022 surrounded by those she loved the most. She was 81. Gayle Arden Sickinger Maffeo was born on April 29, 1941, in Evanston, Illinois, to Virginia (Klapp) and Kenneth Sickinger and between her two siblings Timothy and Kendall (Rojas). After the loss of her father to Leukemia at age 35, Gayle's mother married Orville Tousey, bringing two additional cherished brothers, Mike and Tim, to her life and moving the family to Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Soon after, the blended family relocated to Darien, Connecticut. Gayle forged a path early, earning her Associate of Arts degree from Centenary College (NJ) in 1961. A passionate believer in her alma mater, she later contributed as one of the founders of the President's Circle Alumnae Association. Gayle wasted no time launching into her Television career, getting her start in the programming department at CBS in New York. While a primarily male-driven industry, she broke ground, progressing quickly as a script supervisor on "The Sid Caesar Show" and "The Perry Como Show" and working 6 years as Jack Benny's Associate Producer until his death in 1974. She also worked on several variety specials with such legendary entertainers as Frank Sinatra and George Burns before moving into situation comedies. She continued to blaze trails, advancing to Producer on a variety of successful sitcoms including "Buffalo Bill," "Head of the Class," "Mary" with Mary Tyler Moore, "Carol & Company" with Carol Burnett and "Roseanne." She then served as Senior Vice President of Television for Wind Dancer Production Group and served as Producer for all eight seasons of the hit ABC series "Home Improvement". In addition, she produced Wind Dancer shows "Thunder Alley," "Buddies" and "Soul Man". Gayle was a member of the Directors Guild, Women in Film, The Hollywood Television and Radio Society, The Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, The Producers Guild and served on the board of The American Association of Producers, which she also co-founded. She was married to Neil T. Maffeo until his death in 1990. She is survived by her partner Kenneth Anderson, daughter Laura Maffeo and son Ken Maffeo, Daughter-in-law Elizabeth Koval Maffeo and grandson Dante Maffeo and an abundance of family and friends who were so very fortunate to have known her and will forever have a gap in their hearts that she had so graciously filled.

09-13-2022, 01:06 PM	#2
Johnny be good! Member Senior Member Join Date: Feb 18, 2007 Location: Westland, Michigan Posts: 1,633	She was awesome.
	__________________ Alex Bogue

09-13-2022, 06:29 PM	#3
Dude111 Forum Legend Join Date: Nov 05, 2013 Posts: 36,837	Very sad