Groff Funeral Homes
1607 East Perkins Avenue
Sandusky, OH 44870
Phone: 419-626-3632
Fax: 419-626-2445
Email: info@grofffuneralhomes.com
Website: http://www.grofffuneralhomes.com
View All Obituaries from Groff Funeral Homes
George R. Mayer, 82, residing in Huron, passed away on Wednesday evening, March 1, 2017 at Stein Hospice Care Center.
George devoted his life to those things in which he was extremely passionate; his family, his career in banking, his love of radio broadcasting and his desire to give back to others.
George was born on June 22, 1934 in Sandusky, Ohio to the late Eugene and Evelyn (Tonge) Mayer.
He was a 1952 graduate of Sandusky High School, and received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Speech from Kent State University in 1957. While at Kent, he lettered in track, was a member of the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity, and honed his broadcasting skills at WKSU-FM radio. He served as a member of the US Army Reserves from 1958 to 1964. He attained his Master's Degree from the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin in 1970.
He began his banking career in 1952, and in 1974 was elected CEO and Chairman of the Board of the Erie County Bank. George retired in 1997 as District President of Key Corp. He was on the team that founded Buckeye Community Bank in Lorain County, and was the first CEO and President until he retired in 2001. He served 28 years on the faculty of the Ohio University School of Banking, the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin, and the American Institute of Banking locally. He was appointed to the state Banking Board, served as a Trustee on the Ohio Banking Association Board, and nationally on the American Bankers Association in Washington DC.
He served as a part-time Development Officer for Firelands College BGSU and lead its capital campaign in 1997 to raise millions of dollars to build the Cedar Point Center and help fund student scholarships.
George's other great passion was music of the Big Band era. George was the announcer for live radio broadcasts from the Cedar Point Ballroom which aired regionally and nationally. He announced and interviewed many of the biggest acts including Duke Ellington, Les Brown, Glen Miller Orchestra and Louis Armstrong. For 38 years, he hosted the "Make Believe Ballroom" on Sunday evenings on WLEC, featuring those early recordings and music from the Big Band era.
He served as a trustee for the Thomas Edison Birthplace, the State Theater, the Carousel Museum, Providence Hospital and the Providence Fund, the American Heart Association, Greater Erie County Marketing, Rotary, the Boy Scouts of America, the North Coast Cancer Foundation and the James H. McBride Arboretum. He co-chaired the Sandusky High School Alumni Association's 150th class reunion. He was presented the LEAD Sandusky Outstanding Leadership Award, the Links of Progress Award, the Masons of Ohio Freemasons Community Service Award, and was elected to the Gallery of Achievers by the Erie County Chamber of Commerce. He was on the vestry and an active member of Grace Episcopal Church. He was a member of Plum Brook Country Club, Catawba Island Club, and Rockwell Springs Trout Club.
George is survived by his wife, of 56 years, Barbara (Maurer) Mayer; daughter, Lisa (Michael) Ineson of Huron; grandchildren, Jack and Emily; brother, Richard Mayer of Henderson, NV; brother-in-law, Tom (Peggy) Maurer and nieces, nephews and other relatives.
In lieu of flowers, those who wish to continue George's passion for life please consider donating to Grace Episcopal Church, 315 Wayne St., Sandusky, OH 44870, Christ Episcopal Church, 120 Ohio St., Huron, OH 44839 or Stein Hospice Services, 1200 Sycamore Line, Sandusky, OH 44870.
The family wishes to express their deep gratitude to Dr. Brian Murphy and staff at the Cleveland Clinic and to the doctors and staff at Stein Hospice.
Friends may call on Saturday, March 11, 2017 at 10:00 am until the time of funeral services at 11:00 am at Grace Episcopal Church, 315 Wayne St., Sandusky. The Rev. Jan Smith Wood of Grace Episcopal and Rev. Michael Floyd of Christ Episcopal Church in Huron will co-officiate.
Private family entombment will take place in Meadow Green Memorial Park, Huron.
Condolences may be shared on line at www.grofffuneralhomes.com
