Joel Mayer, 72, of Monroe and Palm City, Fla., died Saturday, Dec. 22, at Martin Memorial Hospital in Stuart, Fla.
Born in Newark, Dr. Mayer lived in Colonia for 27 years before moving to Bloomingdale.
He was an osteopathic physician and founding partner of Avenel-Iselin Medical Group, where he practiced medicine alongside his two sons, Marc and Mitchell. After retirement, he volunteered at a clinic in Florida, providing medical care to the needy. He served as chief of staff of the former Union Memorial Hospital and was a staff member at JFK Medical Center in Edison. He served as physician for Colonia High School athletic teams and the Avenel Fire Department.
He was a member of Congregation B’nai Jacob in Avenel, and Temple Ohenv Shalom in Colonia.
He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Arlene Anker Mayer; his sister, Elaine Brenner of Monroe; his children and their spouses, Susan and Warren Brumel of Marlboro, Dr. Marc and Wendy Mayer of Scotch Plains, Roger Mayer and Anne Vanderploeg of Schaumburg, Ill., and his five grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, Dec. 26, at Bloomfield-Cooper Jewish Chapel in Englishtown. Shiva was observed on Wednesday, Dec. 26 through Dec. 28 at the home of Susan Brumel of Marlboro, and on Saturday, Dec. 29, at the home of Marc Mayer in Edison.
Memorial gifts may be made to the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 31160, Hartford, Conn. 06150.