Mike Mayer, 74, of Pawling, N.Y., submitted his final grades after fighting pancreatic cancer for as long as humanly possible, February 12. He was born March 18, 1940.

His wife of 50 years, Judith Upton Mayer; daughters Kathy and husband, Brad Eggleston, of Newtown, Jennifer of Elkton, Md., Deborah and Herb Burns, Wallkill, N.Y., and Sandra and John Baresich, Waxhaw, N.C. survive Mr Mayer. Siblings Susan Kane Roberts and Hale Mayer; and scores of loved ones and countless strangers he called friends also survive him.

He was an obnoxiously proud “Grandpa Mike” to ten granddaughters and one grandson, to whom he bequeaths all sorts of inappropriate potty humor.

A strong proponent of public education, Mr Mayer helped hundreds of students financially, emotionally, and automotively, providing academic guidance and friendship that far surpassed his 30+ year mathematic tenure at Dutchess Community College, Poughkeepsie, N.Y.

He prided himself on never being sick or hospitalized, his only ailment a bad back from too many oil changes on all things Porsche and Corvette. Instead, he saved a collection of devastating diseases (diabetes, glaucoma, Parkinson’s, pancreatic cancer) for the very end, yet kept his brain sharp and sense of humor alive and kicking for the entire medical profession to fully appreciate. Or not.

Mr Mayer’s legacy is in the thousands of people he anonymously helped along their way, never looking for recognition, but instead for those folks to go forth and do great things for others. 

As an educator, BOE member, parent, dad, grandpa and human being, Mr Mayer was severely affected by the Sandy Hook tragedy, and was often seen outside NSSF waving a sign in hopes to awaken the brain trust within. He not only made the Sandy Hook Promise, but also shared the message with all he met.

His final request was that his body be donated to science because “Kids are smart: they can learn from all my broken parts and fix this for others.”

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to The Pawling United Methodist Church, 2 Dutcher Avenue, Pawling, NY 12564, because of Mr Mayer’s wish to “keep that money in Pawling. They do more good for real people than a whole lot of do-gooders doing nothing.”

Friends are invited to celebrate a life well lived at Pawling United Methodist Church, Wednesday, February 19, at 11 am.