John F. Mayer, OFM

1921 – 1996

Fr. John Fisher Mayer, OFM, was born on Dec. 21, 1921 in Rochester, N.Y. He was received into the novitiate at St. Bonaventure Friary, Paterson, N.J., in 1941, professing temporary vows one year later. Fr. John made his solemn profession in 1945 and was ordained in 1948.

Except for a brief two-year stint in Providence, Fr. John’s friar life was spent in the Brazil missions. His first assignment was to Anapolis, Brazil in 1948. His ministry took him to Pirenopolis, Ceres (Colonia Agricola), Pires do Rio, Goiandria, Brasilia, Goiania, Uruacu, Jatai and Catalao. While in Goiandria, Fr. John served as superior, pastor and director of the Ginasio. In Anapolis, he served as rector of the Archdiocesan seminary. In Pires do Rio, he was superior and pastor twice, once from 1963 to 1966 and again in 1982. In 1978, Fr. John was made Custodial Councilor and moved on to be Vice Custos in Quirinopolis.

He died there on March 28, 1996. Fr. John was 74 years old, a professed friar for 53 years and a priest for 47 years.