Jeffrey Michael Mercer

Jeff Mercer passed away on October 3, 2025, after a battle with cancer.

From a young age, Jeff prioritized the things that matter most: friends and family, a meaningful career, and time for reading, music and other intellectual pursuits. He built a life around those values — as a teacher and school leader who left a lasting mark on generations of students; a loving husband, father, brother, and son; and a thoughtful friend to many.

Born in Los Angeles on October 29, 1969, Jeff grew up in Newport Beach with his parents, Elliott and Joanne, and brothers, Justin and Greg. He went to Harbor View, Lincoln, and Corona del Mar High before earning his history degree at UC Berkeley and a master's and teaching credential from Duke.

Jeff started teaching at Chadwick School in 1996 and stayed for nearly 30 years, shaping countless lives through his genuine care, dedication, and patient understanding. Jeff taught history for over ten years and served as Director of the Middle School for another 15. Jeff was also Headmaster of Chadwick International in Songdo, Korea from 2009 to 2012, where he helped ensure that Chadwick values were extended to the new international location.

Jeff met Noelle Nese in 2001. They married in 2004 and welcomed twin boys, Dylan and Joshua, in 2005. Together, they built a warm home on the Chadwick campus, where they often hosted dinners with close friends - Jeff was known for his signature meals (especially his Caesar salad) - that always involved lively conversation and excellent food. The Mercer family had traditions of summer trips to both Sun Valley and Camp Gold at Cal's Lair of the Bear, which were two places very close to Jeff's heart.

Jeff loved sports and competition - from beach volleyball and surfing to skiing and basketball, his lifelong favorite. He played hoops through much of his life, from the Eastbluff Boys Club, to high school basketball at CDM, to pickup games at the Chadwick gym, and finally as a member of the great Cienfuegos team in the Pacific Palisades adult league. All knew Jeff as a gamer who was lights-out from beyond the arc, but capable of taking the ball to the hole when necessary.

A philosophical person and avid reader, Jeff regularly had discussions about books and life. Jeff had hundreds of close friends who valued his wit, wisdom, curiosity, and genuine interest in the world and in their place within it.

At his core, Jeff was devoted to his family. He was a proud father who encouraged his boys' love of learning and sports, and a deeply loving husband to best friend and soul mate Noelle, whose energy and passion complemented Jeff's more reserved, though still outgoing, nature.

Jeff will be deeply missed, but his example and love will stay with all of us who were lucky to know him.

If you wish to make a donation in Jeff's memory, it can be made to Chadwick School.

- Online: To give online via credit card/PayPal/Venmo, go to the following webpage: https://www.chadwickschool.org/make-a-gift
Click on "Make a Gift Here." Once there, you can click on the pulldown menu for "Select a Designation" and specify that your gift is In Memory of Jeff Mercer.

- By check: Please make it payable to the Chadwick Fund and note in the memo line that your gift is In Memory of Jeff Mercer. Checks should be sent to:
Chadwick School Advancement Office
26800 South Academy Drive
Palos Verdes Peninsula, CA 90274

Please be sure to include your address and contact information, and include a note if it is a pledge payment or if there are specific details about the gift.