Philip Maurer Former Newport Beach mayor,...

Philip Maurer

Former Newport Beach mayor, attorney and educator Philip Maurer

has died. He was 85.

Mr. Maurer served on the Newport Beach City Council from 1980

until 1988; he was mayor from 1984 to 1986. He was a Balboa Island

resident for 40 years before retiring to his farm in San Luis Rey in

the South Morro Hills in 1989. He died in Oceanside on Thursday of

heart failure.

Mr. Maurer was active in the battle to slow the expansion of John

Wayne Airport, including through the John Wayne Airport settlement

agreement, and was instrumental in expanding Newport Center and in

passing the then-controversial Cannery Village plan.

“He was a fabulous teacher; he was wonderful,” said former City

Councilwoman Jean Watt, whose daughters were students of Mr. Maurer’s

at Lincoln Elementary School. “He was a good, stalwart person on

Balboa Island .... He served the community well.”

Mr. Maurer was born in Ohio in 1917. He served in the Navy for

four years.

He is survived by wife of 56 years Patricia; sons Craig and Matt;

and four grandchildren. Memorial services are being arranged.

--June Casagrande