James Harold Mayer

November 17, 1939 - August 30, 2026

James Harold Mayer, known as Jim or Jimmy, died August 30 after an illness. He was 86. He was born in New York City to German Jewish immigrants. His family moved to New Rochelle when he was eight, where he attended high school (class of 1958) and met his wife, Kathe (nee Kahn). They married in 1965 after he'd graduated from Worcester Polytechnic Institute and served two years of active duty in the Army.

Jim also earned an MBA at Ohio University and began a career in corporate America. Ultimately, though, he leveraged his experience into launching Mayer Associates Manufacturer's Agent. For over 20 years, in partnership with Kathe, he sold pollution control equipment and supplies and designed improvements to plating shops. He retired the summer after his first two grandchildren arrived.

Jim and Kathe lived in University Heights for 48 years before moving to Rose Senior Living in Beachwood a few months ago.

In retirement, Jim enjoyed turning wood into bowls, writing poetry, and traveling, especially to visit his siblings, kids and grandkids. He walked around the Shaker Lakes Nature Center trails most Sunday mornings for decades and as a member of Village in the Heights he helped others with household repairs, transportation and other odd jobs.

Jim was an Eagle Scout, a volunteer with the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, a longtime board member of the Jewish Secular Community and a fervent advocate for participatory democracy.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Kathe, son Wayne (Gladys), daughter Amy (Beth Caissie), grandchildren Elias Caissie, Mikela and Kamilah, brother Ron (Susan), sister Clarice Cubell (Norman), cousins including Tamara Landau and Harvey Sachs, nieces and nephews, and friends.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Friends of Sherrod Brown or Ideastream Public Media.