Seymour Weiner, a World War II veteran, New York Mets superfan, and dedicated Canarsie civic leader, passed away on April 29, 2025, at the age of 98.
His wife, Geraldyne, passed away before him, and he went on to live nearly four more years after her.
Little is known about Seymour’s kids, but he is survived by his daughter, Beth Weiner, the only name publicly acknowledged. Whether he had any other children remains uncertain.
Seymour was a resident of Canarsie, Brooklyn, who became a viral sensation in 2024 when the Mets honored him as their “Veteran of the Game” on Opening Day.
In 2024, his appearance on Citi Field’s scoreboard during Opening Day, alongside Mets legends Mookie Wilson and John Franco, earned him a standing ovation.
His name, pronounced “weener,” sparked jokes worldwide, but Seymour embraced the attention with humor, saying, “To me, it’s been so enjoyable. In no way does it annoy me. Just look at all the notoriety I got out of it!”
The Mets capitalized on his popularity, featuring him in a “Dollar Dog Night” promotion on April 30, 2024, which set a franchise record by selling 44,269 hot dogs.
Born on March 5, 1927, in Brooklyn, Seymour Weiner grew up as a Dodgers fan, witnessing history in 1947 when he saw Jackie Robinson’s first hit at Ebbets Field.
“Only 12,000 people were at that game,” he recalled, noting he might have been one of the last living witnesses to that moment.
His love for baseball transitioned to the Mets when the Dodgers left for Los Angeles, and the Mets inherited New York’s National League fans in 1962.
Seymour Weiner And His Wife, Geraldyne Weiner, Were Married For 70 Years!
Seymour Weiner’s life is incomplete without his wife, Geraldyne Weiner, who shared 70 years of marriage with him.
As a World War II veteran, he served in the U.S. Army until 1947, achieving the rank of Technician Fifth Grade (Tec 5).
Some records suggest he later rose to Lieutenant Colonel in the Army Air Forces, serving in various locations across the U.S., including North Carolina, Arkansas, and New York.
His military service included roles during the Cold War, showcasing his long commitment to national defense.
Reportedly, it was after his army service, WWII veteran Seymour Weiner crossed paths with his future wife, Geraldyne, on a blind date on New Year’s Eve 1947 turning into 1948.
While precise details of their wedding remain unknown, Seymour and Geraldyne tied the knot either in 1950 or 1951.
A couple of years after their wedding, they moved to Canarsie in 1955 and dedicated their lives to improving their community.
Geraldyne was a passionate civic leader who joined groups like the 69th Precinct Council, the South Canarsie Civic Organization, and Canarsie by Choice.
With Seymour, she co-founded Canarsie Cares, a civic group focused on making their neighborhood better.
One of their biggest and proudest achievements and projects was creating a community garden near the Belt Parkway on-ramp into a community garden.
They gathered over 20 volunteers, raised donations, and got support from organizations like New York Newsday and the Canarsie Lions to plant trees and beautify the area.
Seymour and Geraldyne also fought for important causes, including civil rights, school integration, and protecting Canarsie’s wetlands.
Geraldyne’s artistic talent left a mark; her artwork, which honored the original Canarsie Indians, was featured on “Welcome to Canarsie” signs at the Belt Parkway and the Rockaway Parkway L train station, where one sign still stands.
Tragically, their blissful married life came to an end when Geraldyne passed away in June 2021 at nearly 91.
Her loss was deeply felt, but Seymour continued to share stories of their life together, always with his lively and charismatic charm.
