Neil Stephen Mayer

I was shocked to learn just now of Neil's death. We lived together in Berkeley in 1972-74 and were close at Harvard from 64-68. He was such a thoughtful and kind friend, taught me to cook hamburgers and string beans when I first came to Berkeley never having cooked for myself, was a very very good friend in that period of my life. We all admired his accomplishments drafting the Neighborhood Preservation Ordinance and he played such an important role in Berkeley progressive politics during that era, with Loni Hancock, Veronika Fukson and others. And he paved my way into participating in the April Coalition (the vehicle of the Berkeley political Left for a time) and eventually becoming active in city politics. A great person of true significance in my life during that time. May his memory be a blessing. Peter Gabel

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.