George Mayer, Riverton teacher

George W. Mayer, 93, who retired in the early 1970s as a public-school teacher in Riverton, died Sunday, Oct. 30, at Chandler Hall, a retirement community in Newtown Township, Bucks County, where he had lived since 2003.

Born in Philadelphia, Mr. Mayer served as an Army equipment technician from January 1943 to January 1946, for a time in combat in Italy, said step-granddaughter Carrin Harrison.

After being discharged from military service, he earned a bachelor's degree in English literature and a master's, both at Temple University, she said.

In his first job teaching English in the 1950s, she said, Wilt Chamberlain was a student of his at Overbrook High School.

Mr. Mayer taught English at the University of Maryland later in the 1950s, and, while living in Willingboro, taught health and science in sixth, seventh, and eighth grades at Riverton Public School in the 1960s.

He had divorced his first wife, Elaine. After marrying his second wife, Viola, in 1960, they became antiques dealers, mostly in glassware and jewelry, at shows in South Jersey and Southeastern Pennsylvania.

"He was a strong man, very happy," she said. "He liked to sing," especially songs made popular by Frank Sinatra.

For a time after his Army service, she said, he was a bartender in New York City, and sang in bars where he worked.

Besides his step-granddaughter Mr. Mayer is survived by stepdaughters Viola Weidemann, Tamzen Lohmann, and Joanne Sampy, and six other stepgrandchildren.

His wife died in 2002.

A memorial celebration was set from 2 to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 9, at Wright Meeting House, Chandler Hall, 99 Barclay St., Newtown, Pa. 18940.

Donations may be sent to Chandler Hall at the above address.

Condolences may be offered to the family at Alloway Funeral Home at afhinc.verizon.net.

wnaedele@phillynews.com

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