David Bernard Mayer

June 5th 1930 - April 29th 2017

After fighting six different bouts with cancer, David Bernard Mayer passed away on Saturday morning April 29thsurrounded by family and friends. Dave was born in San Francisco to Barney and Margaret Mayer on June 5th 1930. He was the second of 4 boys, James, Peter who predeceased him, and Paul. His dad was a plumber as was his grandfather.

He attended several grammar schools in San Francisco, rumor has it he was quite a character and needed to keep switching schools to stay one step ahead of the principal. He later graduated from Saint Emydius and then attended Sacred Heart High School where he played football and ran track. When Dave was 16 at a friend’s party in the Sunset area of San Francisco he met the love of his life, Patricia Bonelli.They married at 19 and lived together for the next 68 years still holding hands everyday. As he took his last breath, he was still holding our mom’s hand. People talk of a “love story” — they lived it every day.

After graduating from high school, Dave enlisted in the Navy and was assigned to the submarines where he served with honor but was very seasick. His tremendous loyalty to his family was shown at an early age when our mom was very sick with the birth of their son, Michael and Dave went AWOL to be with her when his commanding officer would not give him time off. After leaving the Navy he joined PG&E as a lineman where he worked for a couple of years. He still has his original pair of pliers from PG&E. At dinner at a neighbor’s house who was a SF police officer, he was encouraged to join the San Francisco Police Department, which he did in 1953 at the age of 23.

In the police department, he started as a patrol man in the Ingleside District from 1953 to 1956 and then transferred to Central Station and so enjoyed “walking the beat in North Beach”. He transferred to the Warrant bureau in 1961 and to the gambling detail in 1965. In 1968 he was promoted to run the Prostitution detail. We all can recall walking down the streets in San Francisco when some of the “ladies” would wave to him and smile to him out of respect for a tough job. In 1969 he made sergeant and then was promoted to Inspector in 1972 and worked many details including the Pawnshop, Hotel and Fraud. As kids, we were always amazed that he could tell immediately when we were not telling the truth. Probably why he made such a good cop.

He was also part of the presidential security force and in a photo that went viral around the world (before the internet), he can be seen standing next to President Ford drawing his revolver and moving to protect the President during the assassination attempt at the St Francis Hotel in San Francisco. President Ford autographed the photo for him and it was proudly hung on the wall at his house until it was destroyed in a fire that completely burned their house in 2010.

Dave and Patricia had four children Michael, Stephen, Timothy and Mary. They also lost a child when Patricia was hit by a car when she was 7 month pregnant.

His children and their spouses, his grandchildren and great grandchildren were his life. Mike(and Sally) and their children, David and former spouse, Oliva with their children Griffin and Cooper, Rosemary and spouse, Greg and their children Christopher and Katie, and Stephen and his spouse Andrea and their son Mason; Steve (and Patty) and their children Dylan, Kenzie and Nicola; Tim (and Carol) their children Charlie, who died tragically in an accident when he was 13,and Emily and her spouse Alex and their children Francesca and Penelope; and Mary (and Marty) and their children Tom, Sam and Allison.

Dave was very active at the San Francisco Police Department Credit Union where he served on the Board of Directors for over 35 years. He was so proud of how the Credit Union grew and he made sure all of his kids and grandchildren were members. On special occasions you always got the note that Dave had just transferred money into your account.

He was also active with the SF Retired Police Officers Veteran Association and most recently served as the Treasurer. He was active in his local community where he served on a variety of commissions.

Dave’s favorite times were working at each of his children’s houses when they were remodeling. He seemed most happy hammering nails, mixing concrete, painting and climbing ladders and carrying big pieces of lumber.

Husband, Brother, Father, Father-in-law, Grandfather, Great Grandfather and Friend, Dave was a Great man who impacted so many lives. Though he is not with us anymore on Earth, his spirit will remain with us forever. We love you.

Friends are invited to a visitation, Friday, May 5th at 9:30 am followed by a Memorial Mass at 10:30 at Our Lady of Angels Church, 1721 Hillside Dr., Burlingame. In lieu of flowers, please direct donations to Capuchin Franciscan Friars, 1345 Cortez Ave, Burlingame, CA 94010, or Mission Hospice, 1670 South Amphlett Blvd, Suite 300, San Mateo, CA 94402