Roger J. Mayer, 82, of New Bedford passed away on May 25, 2013 at St. Luke's Hospital surrounded by his loving family. He was the husband of the late Anne Donaghy-Mayer with whom he spent 14 adventure filled years. He was the former husband of Rita (Benac) Mayer who resides in Fairhaven.
He was born on January 9, 1931 in New Bedford, son of the late Joseph Armand Mayer and the late Marguerite Simone (Fournier) Mayer. Roger was a resident of New Bedford’s North End for most of his adult life. He is survived by his two devoted children, Donald Mayer along with his wife Janet of Mattapoisett and Donna (Mayer) LaBrode along with her husband Donald of Acushnet. He adored his four step sons; William Donaghy and his wife Brendalee, Michael Donaghy and his wife Claudia, Daniel Donaghy and his wife Leonor, and Timothy Donaghy. Roger was loved and admired by his 13 grandchildren; Julie Bosworth and her husband Tom, Eric LaBrode and his wife Rebecca, Elizabeth Leifheit and her husband Gareth, Jocelyn Mayer, Alison Mayer, Edward, Ian, Justin, Andrew and Garrett Donaghy, Caitlin Guerrero, Jennifer Nunes, and Jennifer Taylor. Roger was blessed with seven great-grandchildren Logan, Hadley, Taylor, Eleanor, William, Lilly and Eve. He had a wonderful relationship with his siblings; Lucille Froh, Theresa Saulnier, Paul Robert Mayer, and Germaine Bourque along with her husband Maurice; and many nieces and nephews.
Roger was pre-deceased by his sister Rita (Mayer) Rhodes.
Roger was an avid motorcycle rider from the time he was a young boy. He sought adventure while touring back roads here at home and in Europe. It was a passion he passed on to both of his children and his grandson. During the later years of his life he could be found in the passenger seat of Brodie’s vintage Mercedes enjoying the ride. On most Saturday mornings, after breakfast with his friends, Roger shared a few laughs while watching the “fiasco” at the Mattapoisett boat ramp. He was a graduate of New Bedford Vocational High School’s automotive program. His ability to fix anything that was broken was unmatched, and if you wanted to learn how to fix it yourself, he was a patient teacher. Roger retired in 1996 after 40 years as lead mechanic at Warren Bros./Tilcon. He was respected by his co-workers and remained friends with many of them for years to come. Roger loved reading; he couldn’t wait for someone else to read the book he had just finished so they could share a conversation about it. He never turned down an invitation to dinner, and while the food was always good (in Donna’s case great), it was the company he really came for… Roger was a strong man with a big heart and a gentle soul; we are blessed and lucky to call him ours.
His Funeral Mass will be celebrated Thursday, May 30th at 11 AM in Our Lady of Fatima Church. His family will receive guests on Thursday morning from 9 - 10 AM in Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals 50 County Rd. (Rt. 6) Mattapoisett prior to his Mass.