Donald Mayer
Graduating class: 1980
Inducted into Hall of Fame: 2026
Hall of Fame Category: Athlete
Donald “the Bear” Mayer was an outstanding two-way tackle for three varsity seasons on the FHS football teams coached by Hall of Fame Coach Jim Lanagan in the late 1970’s when Fairhaven competed in the Southeastern Massachusetts Conference Division I with much larger schools (New Bedford, Durfee, Attleboro, Taunton and Barnstable).
Referred to as the “strongest player on the team” (thus the Bear nickname), Coach Lanagan proclaimed Don to be “the blood and guts” of the squad.
Mayer was a starting offensive and defensive tackle all three years at FHS. But his best season was his 1979 senior campaign when the Blue Devils compiled a record of 7-2-1 in the highly competitive Division I of the SMC. After an early season victory over Somerset an article in the Standard-Times reported that “their execution was indeed excellent as gaping holes were continuously opened by the likes of Mayer, Pinto, Voter, Harding and Tillet”.
One of the highlights of Don’s senior season was a 10-0 victory over New Bedford High School (the first time in 20 years) and the Standard Times reported that “led by Donald Mayer and Kirk Pinto, the Blue Devil defenders sacked QB Dan Huston 5 times and limited the Whalers to just 78 yards in 33 rushing attempts”. After that huge win Mayer was selected as the “Perfection Player of the Week” and the accompanying article stated: “Mayer’s outstanding two-way performance was instrumental in the victory that kept FHS undefeated. Mayer sacked the New Bedford quarterback 5 times, recovered a fumble and in general, made life miserable for the Whalers all afternoon”.
After the 1979 season Don Mayer was named an SMC All-Star, Taunton Gazette All-Star as well as a Standard-Times All-Star. The article in the S-T was effusive about Mayer: “Mr. Dynamite had a habit of exploding through the line to dump opposing quarterbacks for repeated losses. Short and compact, Mayer backed down to no one and won the respect of his own coaches as well as opposing coaches with his aggressive play. An outstanding offensive tackle when Fairhaven has the ball.”
Don Mayer also was part of the winter and spring track teams for all three of his years at FHS, as well as the Stage Band. No slouch in the classroom, he was an Honor Roll student for three years as well.
After graduation Don attended Northeastern University before a short stint as a commercial fisherman. He found his niche in the commercial construction industry where he has worked for the last 45 years, with the last 30 years as a construction superintendent all across Massachusetts. He has lived in Fairhaven all of his life and has been with his wife Deborah for 40 years, and he has three step-sons and five grandchildren.