Rev. George E. Mayer, died peacefully at home in Great Barrington on July 29th, 2014 after a courageous seven year battle with cancer. He was 71 years old. George was ordained as an ELCA Lutheran Pastor 46 years ago at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Teaneck, New Jersey and began his service at St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Baldwinsville, NY. From 1971-78 he was Director of Vanderkamp, a Christian retreat and summer camp in Cleveland, NY. In 1978 he took the whole family to England to run Hothorpe Hall, a Lutheran conference centre in Theddingworth, Leicestershire. From 1982 to 1987 George was the Pastor Developer and first pastor of Pilgrim Lutheran Church in Scarborough, Ontario. In 1987 he began as Pastor of Christ Lutheran Church in Waterloo, Ontario where he remained until 1998, attending graduate school at University of Toronto for a ThD in Homiletics from 1995-1998. He moved to the Berkshires in 1998 as the Pastor Developer and first pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Great Barrington, MA. From 2003 to 2005 he was called to Ascension Lutheran in South Burlington, VT. as Interim Pastor. In retirement George continued to preach and officiate ceremonies whenever needed. In addition to his various diverse ministries, George was a constant, voracious student of philosophies, theologies, healing techniques, and the simple act of living life. He had an equal passion for asking questions and listening for answers, never tiring of hearing new stories of people's journeys and life experiences. He was just as reverent about the physical world, whether swimming, dancing, biking, golfing, playing basketball early in the morning with his buddies or just lazing in the hammock under a shady tree with a good book. George is survived by Sandra Mayer, his wife of 48 years, his soul mate, confidant, fellow warrior in his battle with cancer, whom he would still, recently, be caught kissing in the kitchen as passionately as when they first met by any one of their three children: Christopher, Andrew or Alanna. He also leaves behind two adoring sisters, five wonderful grandchildren, a daughter in law and a son in law and extended family in both the U.S. and Canada. George counseled, taught, amused, comforted, healed and encouraged all who had the honor to cross paths with him. To declare that he will be missed by those whose lives he touched would be a gross understatement. He will be more than missed, his memory will continue to inspire a true love of life in all. A Celebration of Life will be held on Wednesday, August 6th beginning with a Hymn Sing at 1:45pm followed by Service at 2pm at the Old Parish Church, First Congregational Church of Sheffield,125 Main Street Sheffield, MA 01257.
