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100-year birthdays

By Times Staff Writer
Published March 29, 2006

Ferdinand Julius Mayer was born March 30, 1906, in Munich, Germany, the son of Ferdinand and Anna (Eibl) Mayer. Ferdinand emigrated to the United States through Hoboken, N.J., in 1925.

The 1930 census shows Ferdinand as a boarder in Buffalo City, N.Y., and working as a machinist in the "aeroplane" industry. While there was some romance attached to working in that fledgling aeronautical industry, Ferdinand later recalled the time to his daughter and claimed that he "made more money shoveling snow" than he did at the beginning of his machinist career. That, a reference to a part-time job he held for a time in Buffalo.

Ferdinand became an American citizen in 1934.

Ferdinand married Gertrude Elizabeth Otto on Aug. 29, 1936, in Suffern, N.Y. Together they had a daughter, Lorraine Watson, now of Pompton Lakes, N.J. Ferdinand continued working for Wright's Aeronautical, a later incarnation of Wright & Co., the business begun by Orville and Wilbur Wright in 1909.

It was not happenstance that brought him to the United States. He had trained as a machinist for BMW in Munich and was hired by Wright before crossing the pond. While at Wright's, he won many awards for quality control. After 42 years at Wright's, Ferdinand retired. He and Gertrude moved to St. Petersburg in 1975. And it was after 63 years of marriage that Gertrude died in 1999.

He stayed very active - he swam 50 laps a day, later tapering down to 30 laps in an Olympic-sized pool - until he was 92. He also played cards and traveled a great deal. His activity level has waned in recent years, but he still loves listening to classical music and being with friends.

A Catholic, Ferdinand attended Grace Lutheran Church in Clearwater for many years. He enjoyed the German services offered there. In addition to his daughter, he has a living sister, Emmy Mayer, in Germany; two grandsons, Glenn and Raymond Watson; a great-granddaughter, Grace Elizabeth Watson; and three great-grandsons, Matthew, Bryan and Timothy Watson. All of the Watson offspring live in New Jersey.

Ferdinand claims, by the way, that a beer and a swim a day contributed to his longevity.

We think living 100 years is worth our taking notice. If you or a family member is about to celebrate a 100th birthday or more, send us the following information: the person's full name, date of birth, place of birth, parents' names (including mother's maiden name) if known, name of spouse (if applicable), marriage date, names of children and number of grandchildren (if applicable), length of time the person has lived in this area and a phone number in case we have questions. Also, please include a photo that doesn't need to be returned. We'll publish the information as close to the birthday as possible. Send the information to 100-year Birthdays, St. Petersburg Times, P.O. Box 1121, St. Petersburg, FL 33731-1121 or fax to (727) 893-8675.

[Last modified March 29, 2006, 01:23:20]