R.I.P., Oscar Mayer

His bologna had a first name. His bologna had a last name. So did he. More than simply a brand name or the punchline to a catchy ad jingle, Oscar G. Mayer, the former chairman of his family's eponymous meat products company has died. He passed away Monday at the age of 95 in a hospice facility in Fitchburg, Wis., reports the Daily Herald.

Founded by three German immigrant brothers, Gottfried, Max and Oscar Mayer, the company began selling sausages in Chicago in the 1890s. The basis of their success was the bratwurst, weisswurst and liverwurst made by Gottfried, a trained wurstmacher from Nurnburg. His sausages proved so popular that the Mayer brothers were soon making deliveries by horse-drawn wagon throughout Chicago, expanding their reach well beyond the city's German enclaves.

They began using the Oscar Mayer brand name in the 1920s, stamping it on the country's first packaged, sliced bacon, which the Mayer brothers introduced in 1924 -- an innovation that earned them a U.S. government patent.

Oscar G. Mayer began working for the family business in 1936, the same year the company introduced its popular Wienermobile. Mayer was named president in 1955 and chairman in 1966. He retired from the company in 1977 after 41 years. No word on whether the funeral procession will be led by the Wienermobile.

-- Elina Shatkin

Photo: Friends and relatives carry the casket of George Molchan, who died in 2005 after portraying Oscar Mayer's spokesman, Little Oscar, for more than three decades. The procession to the cemetery was led by the Wienermobile. Credit: John Luke / Associated Press.

Comments

[Rex Hump]

I am more shocked by this death then some person that wore a glove and massacred his face with plastic surgery.

[Giovanni]

RIP Mr. Mayor.
I will have a hot dog in your honor.

[Gayle]

TMZ is reporting that Mr. Mayer specifically requested in his will that the Wienermobile NOT make an appearance, because it would create too much of a spectacle. True that!

Once again you've gotten scooped by TMZ, guys!

[jamzo]

when i was a kid i thought the guy who drove the weinermobile was oscar myer

[Hud Mar]

Hey Annie with the bird-mebbe a cat got it

[Guias Local]

Guias Local wants to offer the Oscar G. Mayer family condolences. Your families product is part of the fabric of American culture. It is difficult to find someone in this planet who has not had a delicious hot dog from Oscar Mayer. Also the song if I remembered it was:

I wish I were an Oscar Mayer Weiner
That is what I truly wish to be
cause if I were a oscar mayer weiner
everyone would be in love
oh everyone would be in love
everyone would be in love with me

We will miss you Oscar.

Your faithful audience

Guias Local

[Tina Thompson]

I think this is cool. It is so important for us all to enjoy each other, wherever we are! Life definitely goes on, and should in happy ways, not hurt or harmful, enjoy all, ! tina

[Internet Joe]

His grandfather (the founder) lived to 95, mostly back in the days before really modern healthcare and antibiotics. His father lived to 76. So there is some longetivity in that family.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oscar_F._Mayer

[Comfort Food]

Last week I got a craving for and had him buy Oscar Mayer All beef Bologna for the first time in years... My mom always insisted "All Beef". All Beef Hot Dogs too. Mustard on the meat side, mayo on the lettuce side. And Kraft Cheese singles. 1965. I remembering eating them every day except for Fridays - tuna fish. 1st, 2nd & 3rd grade at OLP. (Our Lady Of Peace Catholic grade school) & a bag of chips. Had him get those too. Had to be Lays Classic. Pure comfort food. Except for - I don't remember it being so salty... Don't forget the Scooter Pies. Do they even make them anymore?

[Shirley Husar]

With all the news on MJ.. I sorry to hear this as well.

God Bless you Mr Mayer. You change the way we ate fast foods and made it FUN. Lot's of Fun. You put smiles on our face and joy in our heart. May your family keep the tradition of who and what you were a live.

Shirley Husar
California Girl!!!

[Annie]

Weird coincidence - last Thursday we rescued a baby sparrow that had fallen from its nest. It was freezing, so we wrapped him in a baby blanket and brought him in. The only thing he'd eat was bologna, so we named him Oscar Mayer. We brought him inside each night to keep him warm, leaving him outside in a tall, open box during the day so his parents could visit and feed him.

Monday he was finally able to fly away.

[Ezequiel]

Oscar Mayer he's a great guy and i love my great grandfather.

[peter4263]

Thank you for everything.
Rest in peace, knowing you helped .

[Shakespeare]

I loved Oscar Mayer hotdogs. And, I love the song "I'd rather be an Oscar Mayer......

Shakespeare

[Tony]

I never am happy about anyone dying, but considering that he helped spur the factory farming we have today (and all the cruelties associated with it)..... I feel no pity.

[the alaskan]

Oscar enjoyed a loving life to 95, did he eat that many weiners-- perhaps a crypto vegan?

[angelica]

Over the years,the great wiener king's company has become an indelible part of popculture, from the famed Wienermobiles that have been cruising the country since 1936 to two of the best jingles ever written: "My bolognahas a first name, it's O-S-C-A-R..." and "I wish I were an Oscar Mayerwiener." http://www.getback.com/gallery/the-greatest-tv-jingles-ever/2986789

[eyegore]

Another lost Icon!
This man drove the Wienermobile to the top. Right there with Mom, baseball and apple pie.
I propose a national day of morning.
"I wish I was an Oscar Mayer wiener..."
I'm all verklempt.