Kerry A. Mayer

KERRY ALBERT MAYER died peacefully in his sleep at his home on November 11, 2014, after experiencing complications from a six-week bout of pneumonia. Kerry was 78 years old. Born in New York City, he was adopted at the age of 5 into a family headed by a world renowned architect, Albert Mayer. Kerry's own artistic abilities led him to become a U.S. Army photographer. Pursuing a possible career in the movie industry, Kerry came to California only to change direction by getting a degree in English literature from Cal State University Northridge. He remained a lifelong supporter and fund raiser for the CSUN Matador. Kerry enjoyed a successful professional career in casualty insurance. Another success was his marriage of 38 years to his wife, Eleni. In 1995, they bought a home together overlooking a five-acre avocado grove in the hills west of Temecula. Kerry's interest in literature covered a wide range of subjects. Blessed with an outgoing personality, he thoroughly enjoyed conversations about current as well as historical events among a large group of friends and neighbors. Kerry also loved to travel to all parts of the world, continuing his interests in both photography and history. Kerry and Eleni created a beautiful home and garden together that is populated by cats with district personalities who watch with keen interest hundreds of humming birds that come to feeders suspended from a ramada overlooking the avocado grove. It is significant that those who knew Kerry Mayer repeatedly use the same words to descirbe himL: "kind, generous, and trusting."