Russell Frederick Mayer born March 22, 1933 passed away on April 16, 2018 at Silver Lake in Kingston having just celebrated his 85th birthday surrounded by family. The cause of death was prostate cancer. “Russ” is survived by his three children, Janice L. Mayer of Santa Fe, NM, Nancy Anne Mayer Johnson (John) of Marshfield, MA, and David Russell Mayer (Kim) of Halifax, MA.
Brother of Donald (Judith) of Halifax. Grandfather of Breanna and Jayanne Glynn, Devan, David Jr., Dylan, Danielle, and Destiny Mayer, Paul Perakslis and Krystal Watson. Also survived by a niece and a nephews.
He was predeceased by his parents Elinore Mattern Mayer and Howard Lincoln Mayer of Hanson, and the love of his life, Etta “Dolly” Mayer. His first marriage, to Joan Pierce, ended in divorce. A graduate of Whitman High School class of 1951, in his yearbook classmates asked “When will Russell Mayer learn to dance?
” Dolly had a passion for dancing and she introduced Russ to dancing to country music (his favorite musical genre) ; an activity that he enjoyed throughout the remainder of his life, often with his dear friend Carolyn Patten of Marshfield. Russ was also named the “Most Intellectual Boy” in his class, and his innate curiosity was insatiable. Russell Mayer served in the 6969th Support Sq.
of the U.S. Air Force, and attended Boston University where his love of nature and the outdoors led him to study geology. Not one to “be cooped up inside”, in 1957 he became a member of the Laborer’s International Union of North America, Local Union 133 in Quincy; he was awarded a recognition pin celebrating 50 years of membership. Working on the construction of highways and buildings throughout the state, he developed an adventurous palate by swapping ethnic foods with his fellow lunch-pail laborers.
In retirement, he enjoyed gardening and attending his grandchildren’s sporting events, including Dylan’s football games, and Danielle and Destiny’s skating competitions. Always one to lend a hand, he could be found helping neighbors with their gardens, chopping wood for their stoves, and tending to their horses and dogs. The family finds solace imagining him on long walks with Prince and Blue, beloved dogs.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to South Shore Humane Society, P.O. Box 850187, Braintree, MA 02185. The Family will welcome visitors at the Leighton-MacKinnon Funeral Home 4 West Washington St. (Corner Rte. 58) Hanson on Monday April 30th 4-6 PM.
Funeral Services will be held in the Funeral Home on Tuesday May 1st at 10 AM with The Reverend Dr. Peter Smith, Pastor of the First Congregational Church of Hanson, officiating. Interment with military honors will occur immediately following the service at Fern Hill Cemetery, High Street, Hanson. Relatives and friends respectfully invited to attend.
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