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Denny Mayer Obituary
September 12, 1940 - January 27, 2015
Durham
Denis Roland Mayer, born September 12, 1940 and known affectionately as Den and Denny, grew up in Allentown, PA in an Austrian neighborhood. He and his two younger siblings, Dickie and Diane, had everything they needed. Denny fondly recalled collecting tin and aluminum wrappers to bunch together for an improvised ball, racing popsicle sticks in the gutter, using discarded valves as "arrows."
Tall and confident, Denny was a ham. He relished jokes both practical and outrageous.
He worked in a steel mill for a year after high school earning money for college. His creativity endured through Penn State (where he played on the golf team) undergrad and the school's early MBA program, where he met Pam in a cafeteria line (she eating, him working) by smashing a mug against the wall to get her attention. They married in August of '64. Recruited to Orlando by Martin Marietta, Denny later operated in mining and real estate, finally accepting a position at Duke University's business school.
But family was his passion. His three sons recall many a workday afternoon spent with their dad, riding bikes, wrestling through "touch" football, and a dozen other Denny-created pastimes. His sons revered him, as he did his own dad. To varying degrees Denny also raised the five children his second wife, Suzanne, brought to the marriage. Denny also volunteered as a tennis teacher in Durham and helped guide young people on and off the court.
At age 74, Denny died without suffering but a decade too soon in Charleston, SC on January 27, 2015. His is missed dearly.
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Memories and Condolences
for Denny Mayer
Tori Hartwell
May 20, 2015
Missing you Denny. Every day.
February 21, 2015
Denny Mayer was my college sweetheart, my husband, and the father of our wonderful son, Aaron Mayer. Although life's circumstances did not keep Denny and I together, I know we always loved each other. Pam Mayer
The Rowes
February 18, 2015
Denny was a wonderful family friend for many years. He was always full of encouragement, humor, and compliments. He treated our daughter as his own, and spent countless hours teaching her to play tennis and to value her education. Thank you for all you invested in our family, Denny. You will be greatly missed !
February 14, 2015
Denny was a good father,son,brother,husband,cousin and friend. He had a good sense of humor. We had a wonderful time growing up in Allentown.
Lynne McD.
Tori Hartwell
February 13, 2015
Denny was like a second father to me growing up. I remember seeing this tall man at Eno Valley pool and being introduced to his two youngest son's, Spike and Wowie. Only a couple of tennis lessons at the pool with them... and it turned into a lifelong friendship and a second family to me. We spent day in and day out playing tennis in the burning hot weather, rain, or snow. He would make Spike and Wowie practice SAT questions while I goofed off and tried to distract everyone. Over the years, I grew closer to Denny. He was a listening ear, a shoulder to cry on, a person that lifted my spirits during the darkest times. He was there for every change of my life from my childhood til I was married with a child.
I smile remembering him going into to Kroger and his dogs, Mr. Honey, Reggie, and Minnie following him inside.
I miss all of the walks we took and scribling thoughts on the tennis courts with rocks. Reading the "quotable quotes" in Reader's Digest and having indepth dicussions about their meaning.
There are so many memories. Denny was a funny man. He never failed to make me laugh or embarass me out in public. In the more recent years, my husband shattered his study room overhead light when he showed Denny his golf swing. Denny thought that was the funniest thing ever and of course kept the shattered light as it was above him. It was the simple things in life that brought him joy.
Denny, my friend, my like-a-dad. YOU are wonderful. I am honored that I was part of your life and so thankful for your children and family.
Rest in Peace my dear friend. I love you.
Denny with Courtney and I
Tori Hartwell
February 12, 2015
Denny was like a second father to me growing up. I remember seeing this tall man at Eno Valley pool and being introduced to his two youngest son's, Spike and Wowie. Only a couple of tennis lessons at the pool with them... and it turned into a lifelong friendship and a second family to me. We spent day in and day out playing tennis in the burning hot weather, rain, or snow. He would make Spike and Wowie practice SAT questions while I goofed off and tried to distract everyone. Over the years, I grew closer to Denny. He was a listening ear, a shoulder to cry on, a person that lifted my spirits during the darkest times. He was there for every change of my life from my childhood til I was married with a child.
I smile remembering him going into to Kroger and his dogs, Mr. Honey, Reggie, and Minnie following him inside.
I miss all of the walks we took and scribling thoughts on the tennis courts with rocks. Reading the "quotable quotes" in Reader's Digest and having indepth dicussions about their meaning.
There are so many memories. Denny was a funny man. He never failed to make me laugh or embarass me out in public. In the more recent years, my husband shattered his study room overhead light when he showed Denny his golf swing. Denny thought that was the funniest thing ever and of course kept the shattered light as it was above him. It was the simple things in life that brought him joy.
Denny, my friend, my like-a-dad. YOU are wonderful. I am honored that I was part of your life and so thankful for your children and family.
Rest in Peace my dear friend. I love you.
Diane Scotti
February 11, 2015
Like 'Cats in the Cradle' Denny wanted to be just like dad,and his song is a happy one.
As a young boy he went everywhere with dad. They loved the outdoors,golf, swimming,baseball; Den had many sports heroes and at the top of the list was his pop.
As a grade school boy with glasses and a noticeable birthmark he endured teasing and bullying;dad taught him to fight and defend himself. He came home 15 times with broken glasses, but dad was proud to know he beat up the other kids with a vengeance.
Denny loved rock and roll and dancing..not quite like dad who played violin and loved waltzes.
Weekends Denny was at Castle Rock, an outdoor dance venue, sometimes dancing atop his '57 Nash.
Denny was an honor student all thru school and a grad of Penn State-just like dad; and there he met the love of his life.
He was a good family man, just like dad , whose greatest joy was spending time with his boys.
Denny was always,even in the end, a kid at heart
Regrets, a few ; his biggest,
he wished he had been with the love of his life,for the rest of his life; just like dad.
Like the game we always played, hide and seek, till dad whistled and we knew he wanted us to come home.....
Denny went to Heaven, ready or not, cause God called him home;just like dad.
In his last years Den enjoyed reminiscing about growing up in the best place at the best time; Allentown in the 40's and 50's. Sharing good thoughts and happy memories brought him back to the place he loved so well.
I love my brother and miss him so much.
Mary Amighi
February 4, 2015
What can I say about the Mayer family except they are the greatest! It was my privilege to have been born into the family and to have had Denny as my oldest first cousin. I will always have the fondest memories and some zany stories to carry in my heart. Denny, I love you as my cousin and brother in Christ and may your spirit live on in your remaining family until we meet again. Denny, I love ya and may the Lord bless you and keep you; may He make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. May the Lord turn His face toward you and may you rest in peace. May God comfort your family as they grieve your loss and may only wonderful times be remembered.
In loving remembrance,
Cousin Mary
February 3, 2015
Denny was a good person. There were many fun times growing up in Allentown. John and Denny and the cousins enjoyed fun times at the N.pool and picnics. John and Denny had great times in New York as kids with mom Siby and Lucy. Denny was a good son,brother,friend.husband and father. Denny had a good sense of humor. God bless him.
Linda
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