Thousands gathered for the memorial service for Robbinsville Schools Superintendent Steve Mayer
Donna Mayer spoke through tears, surrounded by their three sons, as she described to thousands that her life was different now, but that her husband Steve's legacy would be carried on in Ryan, Shaun and Kyle and "in all of us."
Steve Mayer was a devoted husband, father, educator and man of deep faith who will never be forgotten, his wife told mourners Friday.
"On Tuesday morning, I lost the absolute love of my life, but the God we serve ... knows our days," she said at the memorial service for the popular 52-year-old Robbinsville Schools superintendent, who was struck and killed by a 17-year-old driver while jogging. "I believe that he is alive and well in heaven ... but for me, I lost him."
Family, friends and coworkers crowded Princeton Alliance Church, while hundreds of students, parents and others watched a live stream elsewhere.
She said that their sons shared Mayer's competitiveness, compassion, fierce loyalty, sense of humor, faith and good looks.
"I'm still blessed because I have these boys and their dad is alive and well in each of them," she said.
Mourners pack candlelight vigil
She then turned her attention to his students -- both former and current -- asking them to stand and leaving them with a message.
"He believed in education," she said. "He was very good at what he did and he believed in students getting the best possible education.
"In the future, when you find yourself in that place and you're using your education and you're using the gifts that God gave you, I'm asking you if you can please find a way to let us know that you're doing that," she continued. "Steve was a light everywhere he went -- his smile, his exuberance, his love, his compassion -- and what I visualize is pieces of my beloved husband all over this world."
Mayer's son, Ryan, said his dad was a fan wherever he went and urged others to do the same, while Shaun told the crowd to "make someone's day everyday" -- something his dad would tell him every morning as he left for school.
Kyle, a Robbinsville High School senior who next year will be following in his dad's and brothers' footsteps to Messiah College, said his dad's death will inspire others to want a relationship with God.
"There is meaning and purpose behind the pain, but this is not the end of the story," the church's associate lead pastor, Josh Dean, said. "There is hope. His story will live on literally in the lives of thousands of young people."
Pictures of Mayer with his family and others were shown and there were cards for people to write down memories they had of him.
Cristina Rojas may be reached at crojas@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @CristinaRojasTT. Find NJ.com on Facebook.