Obituary: Edwin ‘Ed’ Mayer

On August 5, 2025, after 89 full years, Edwin “Ed” Mayer peacefully completed his earthly journey at his home, with family by his side.

Edwin "Ed" Mayer

As a “jack of all trades, master of many,” Ed drank deep from the cup of life. He was born in Queens, New York, then moved to Westchester with his family. He played high school football, and for his college team while studying for an architecture degree. His formal studies were cut short when the United States Army called him to serve; he was stationed in Germany from 1959 to 1961 with the 545th Ordnance Company.

He was married to Gail for 25 years, living in the Throggs Neck section of The Bronx where they raised two boys, Eddie and Rob, who inherited his tinkerer, DIY spirit. After a wide array of employment experiences, he accepted a job with the City of New York as an electrical inspector and team manager. He was known among friends and family as an excellent jeweler, a bow hunter, a scuba dive instructor, and a ballroom dancer.

In 2002 Ed retired from The City and moved across the continent to Southeast Alaska where he spent days kayaking, fishing from his rowboat “Yacht,” dredging for gold, and peacefully hanging out by the creek in his yard. He became an avid fan of picking up treasures that “just needed a little work” from the curbs of Douglas Highway. And he found a treasured community of friends (human and canine) who shared his love of walking Sandy Beach and his fascination with the old Treadwell Mine ruins.

He is survived by his ex-wife, Gail Mayer Black, elder son and daughter-in-law, Ed and Nikki Mayer of Flagstaff, Arizona, and his younger son, Rob Mayer of Juneau, Alaska; granddaughters Cassy Slusser and Avarie Mayer, grandsons Elias and Tyler Ward, and great-grandson Dean Slusser. He was preceded in death by his brothers Tom and Robert Mayer, grandson Ross Mayer, and his canine companion, Shadow.

Family and friends will gather to celebrate Ed’s life at the Log Cabin at Savikko Park on August 17, 2025, from 7:30 to 10 a.m.

Ed will be laid to rest beside his family in Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Hawthorne, New York. A service will be held in the cemetery’s chapel in early October. Date and time will be determined soon.