Henry J. “Hank” Meyer, Jr.
March 16, 2019

Henry J. “Hank” Meyer, Jr. of Co. Rt. 58, Mexico, NY; moved on to his next classroom destination, on Saturday, March 16, 2019. Having lived a full and rewarding 85 years, you could probably call him “old school”; school (education) being the operative word. Hank, as a public-school educator, taught what he knew best, as a Shop (now Technology) teacher in the Mexico School District for 33 years. Shop was the definitive hands on teaching of his skills. Additionally, he taught Drivers Education at BOCES for two years before being hired at MACS. As a Volunteer Firefighter, he was also an educator. Having joined the Mexico Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. in 1958, he was still active until his passing (61 years).

Born in Brooklyn, NY; on March 16, 1934, to Henry J. and Helen Meyer, Hank graduated from Woodmere High School in 1952 and came North to Oswego County, graduating from Oswego State Teachers College, in 1956, where he also earned his Master's Degree in Industrial Arts Education in 1965. From 1958 to 1991, Hank taught General Industrial Arts, Drafting and Graphic Arts, Photography, Ceramics and Drivers Ed. In addition to his classroom teaching, he was also an Industrial Arts Administrator and Supervisor; Coordinator of the Department of Occupation Education, Audio-Visual Coordinator and was a Master Teacher for College Student Teachers.

Hank was honored for his educational expertise as a NYS Industrial Arts Association Regional Teacher of the Year, CNY Industrial Arts Association Teacher of the Year, NYS Tech-ED Association Outstanding Service Award and was a MACS Alumni Association Hall of Fame Inductee. He was also actively involved in numerous regional and state-wide professional educator organizations.

Hank was a well known and an active 61-year member of the Oswego County Fire Service. As a member of the Mexico Volunteer Fire Department, he was a past line officer and business officer, driver and pump operator, field day chairman, field day treasurer (35 years), finance committee chairman and department historian. He authored a book detailing the more than 150 years of the departments existence and was researching all who have been members, since the MVFD’s inception.

Hank was an educator in the Fire Service as well. He was a NYS Fire Instructor for 10 years, and conducted the Oswego Country fire pump testing, annually (where he often provided instruction in pump operation) for 20 years. He was an Oswego County Fire Cause and Origin Investigator for 35 years and established the Juvenile Fire Starter Prevention Program, running the education program for 7 years.

Hank received numerous state and local fire service accolades and recognition awards, including the 1993 Oswego County Firefighter of the Year Award. In 2018, he was recognized by the NYS Assembly and Senate, the Oswego County Legislature and by the NYS Firefighters Association and County Firefighters Association for his 60 years of service.

He was pre-deceased by, his first wife Anne, who was also a MACS educator.

Hank is survived by, his current wife, Louise Sherman Rose Meyer; his four children, Henry III “Skip” Meyer, Kathy (John) Pavelock, Karen Meyer and Jeffrey T. Meyer (Connie); her children, Peggy (Art) Himes, Carol (Kevin) Shatley, Ron Rose (Lorie) and Al (Mary Kay) Rose. Hank leaves behind numerous grandchildren, step-grandchildren, great-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, March 21, 2019 from the Harter Funeral Home, Inc. 9 Washington Avenue, Mexico NY. Spring Interment will be in the Mexico Village Cemetery. Friends and family are invited to call from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 20, 2019 at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution in Hank’s memory to, MACS Dollars for Scholars, PO Box 971, Mexico, NY, 13114 or the Mexico Volunteer Fire Department, 3284 Main Street, Mexico, NY, 13114.

To Contribute to MACS Dollars for Scholars, please use the web address below.
https://bit.ly/2OeuME6

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