Erhart “Art” Mayer
October 18, 1923 – August 31, 2010
Survived by his loving wife of 59 years Vi of Clearwater BC, sons Doug (Carol) of Revelstoke BC, Roger (Debbie) of Clearwater, Wes (Sandy) of Dawson Creek BC, grandchildren Jeff, Dan, Josh, Brody (Brandy), Coral (Bryan), great grandchildren Alyssa and Caylee, brothers Wally (Clara) of Kamloops BC and Paul of Port Coquitlam BC, sisters Irma (Vic) of Salmon Arm BC, Anne of Pitt Meadows BC and Frieda (Elmer) of Chilliwack, BC, brother and sister-in-law Cliff (Dorothy) of Merritt BC, and Bonnie of Chilliwack, 8 nieces and 12 nephews, along with many great nieces and nephews. Art was predeceased by his parents Daniel and Olga, parents-in-law Cornelius and Mary Dueck and grandson Gord Mayer.
Art’s parents and family arrived in Canada from Bessarabia, Romania in 1930, when Art was seven years old, and they settled in Alberta. Art quit school in grade 3 to go to work during the Depression. He eventually became a cowboy and ranch hand in Hanna Alta. While working on the ranch, Dad taught himself to play the guitar and sing, eventually playing with all his brothers, sisters and friends. As time passed, playing music and singing became an important part of his life.
In the late 1940’s he moved to BC where he met Vi in 1950 and they were married in 1951. Doug was born in 1952, Roger in 1956 and Wes in 1961.
When he moved to BC he started work at a saw mill in Port Moody. He started on the green chain, and worked his way up to Head millwright. After 21 years in the saw mill, he decided to quit and semi-retire at a motel. In 1969 Art and Vi moved to Clearwater and purchased the Jasper Way Motel. Semi-retirement was not for Art. He wanted something to do, so he built all the units on the lake as well as the house. At the motel Art started running a backhoe and after the motel sold in 1974 he started another career. He bought a backhoe and started Mayer Backhoe Service. Art and his backhoe became a familiar site around Clearwater. Art loved moving dirt and plowing snow, he ran the backhoe until he sold it to his son Wes at the age of 82.
Art was active in the community serving on the Improvement District for 12 years, and was instrumental in the establishment of Clearwater’s first water system. He was also on the Fire Department, serving as Chief and driving Clearwater’s first new fire truck from Montreal back to Clearwater. On the TV committee, Art made many last minute trips up Grizzly Mountain to make sure we could all watch Hockey Night in Canada and the Tommy Hunter Show. Art also served for many years on the Lions Club and Chamber of Commerce. For holidays Art enjoyed traveling back to Alberta to be a cowboy again, fishing and camping trips with family and making burl clocks and tables.
Most of all Art enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.
A funeral service for Art Mayer was held on Sunday, September 5, 2010 at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch in Clearwater, BC. A graveside service followed at Riverview Cemetery, Clearwater, with family and friends gathering afterwards at the Legion. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Dr. Helmcken Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, RR1 Clearwater, BC, V0E 1N0 or to the Clearwater Food Bank. Funeral arrangements entrusted to North Thompson Funeral Services, Clearwater, BC, telephone 250-674-3030. On-line condolences may be sent to the family at www.norththompsonfuneral.com