Donald F. Mayer

Donald F. Mayer, age 95, of Westford passed away on Friday, January 10, 2025 at Emerson Hospital following a brief illness. He was the husband of the late Kathleen R. (O’Connell) Mayer who died in 2018.

Donald Frederick (Don) Mayer was born in Boston, MA on October 6, 1929, the son of the late Frederick F. and Emma P. (Fickeisen) Mayer. He was raised in West Roxbury. Don earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering from Tufts College. After graduating, he served in the Army at Frankford Arsenal in Philadelphia from 1954-1956. During his last six months in the service, he met his future wife Kathleen and they married on October 13, 1956.

The couple returned to Massachusetts where Don worked as an electronic engineer at MIT Lincoln Lab. His projects there took him and his family to White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico and Kwajalein Test Site in the Marshall Islands. After returning to Westford, Massachusetts, he worked for the remainder of his career at Analogic Corporation. Upon his retirement, he demonstrated his unwavering commitment to service by volunteering as a tax preparer for elderly and low-income individuals in Lowell, Massachusetts. 

Don's love for music was evident through his longtime membership in the Nashua Choral Society and the choir at the First Baptist Church of Littleton, where he was a member for over 65 years, also serving as trustee for many of those years. He had a passion for woodworking, hiking, and camping. Don was especially fond of Mount Monadnock which he hiked many times with his children and grandchildren.

One of his favorite pastimes was traveling with his beloved wife, Kathleen, to Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. He took great joy in family gatherings and was particularly proud of his close-knit family. His devotion to his wife, Kathleen, during her battle with dementia was a testament to his unwavering love and dedication.

He is survived by his children Neal Mayer and his wife Lei-Sanne Doo of Arlington, MA, Bruce Mayer and his wife Leslie, also of Arlington, Laura Boussom and her husband Michael of Lunenburg, MA, Diane Mayer of Boxboro, MA and Craig Mayer of Pepperell, MA.

His grandchildren Allison Mayer (Greg Smith), and Carolyn Mayer (JD Nir), Ian Mayer (Christina Mayer), Rachael Mayer (Nate Morena), Kevin Boussom, Justin Boussom, Sara Mayer (Zenry Padua), Alyssa Mayer, Aaron Mayer, and his great-grandchildren Madison Smith, Mason Morena, Landry Morena, and Connor Mayer, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Family and friends will gather to honor and remember Donald for calling hours on Friday, January 17, 2025, from 4:00-6:00 pm at the Badger Funeral Home, 347 King Street, Littleton, MA. His funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 18, at 11:00 am at the First Baptist Church, 461 King St., Littleton, MA. Burial with U.S. Army Military Honors will follow at Pine Grove Cemetery, Westford, MA.

Donations in his memory may be made to The Home for Little Wanderers in Boston MA