Clarence D. McCormick

1929 - 2019

Clarence D. McCormick

Hopewell Twp. - Clarence D. "Mac" McCormick, CEO and Chairman of the Board of the former Farmers and Merchants National Bank in Bridgeton passed away Monday morning July 15, 2019 at Inspira Medical Center in Vineland. He was 89 and a resident of Hopewell Township.

Born in Bridgeton on December 29, 1929, he was the son of the late Clarence B. and Dorothy Fogg McCormick. A lifetime resident of the Bridgeton area, "Mac" was a 1947 graduate of Bridgeton High School. Following high school, he matriculated at Rutgers University where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in business administration in 1951. It was in that same year, he married his high school sweetheart, Marie Hitchner. They had been married for 67 years.

From 1951 until 1953, Mr. McCormick served in the US Air Force. He was commissioned as a 1st Lieutenant and was stationed in Washington, DC. He was in charge of the security detail for President Harry Truman's airplane, "The Sacred Cow."

Upon his discharge, he returned to Bridgeton and started working at Gorsen and McCormick, his father's fruit and produce business in downtown Bridgeton.

His banking career began in 1959 at the small, local, hometown bank, Farmers and Merchants National Bank. His first position was as a bookkeeper and check sorter. Mac advanced through the ranks overseeing the bank's growth to becoming New Jersey's largest independently owned bank. There were seventeen branches. He retired in 1999 as the CEO/Chairman of the Board of Farmers and Merchants and South Jersey Bankcorp.

A Bridgeton resident for many years, he and his wife built their home "Marimac" in Hopewell Township on the banks of the Cohansey River and moved in 1970.

In 1992, Mr. McCormick and his family started a small vineyard and winery, "Marimac Vineyards." They produced several award winning wines.

In his professional life, Mac was a member of the NJ Bankers Association, had been the chairman of the Committee on Agriculture for the NJ Bankers Association. He was also a Director of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia.

Always an active member of the greater Bridgeton community, he volunteered with several organizations. Mr. McCormick served as a trustee at Cumberland County College, a board member at Bridgeton Hospital and was a charter trustee for the Bridgeton Hospital Foundation. He had been a member and trustee at the First Presbyterian Church in Bridgeton. Mac also served as the Tax Collector for Hopewell Township. In addition, he was a former president of the United Fund of the Greater Bridgeton Area. He was a commissioner of the Delaware River and Bay Authority, a director of the South Jersey Gas Company/South Jersey Industries where he was the longest serving director. He was also a director for the American Automobile Association (AAA) of Southern New Jersey and a director for the Cumberland Mutual Insurance Company.

He and his wife enjoyed traveling extensively and especially enjoyed sailing the British Virgin Islands. He also enjoyed skiing with his family, going to the Jersey shore and sitting on his back porch enjoying the beautiful views of the Cohansey River.

He and his wife, Marie, had reputations as gracious and exceptional hosts and enjoyed entertaining family and friends at "Marimac."

In addition to his wife, he is survived by three sons, Kevin McCormick and his wife Cheryl of Hopewell Township, Brent McCormick and his wife Jane of Hardeeville, SC and Clarence "Mac" McCormick Jr. and his wife Tracy of Hopewell Township, six grandchildren, Michelle Riley (Davin), Lauren Garton (Jeff), Kelly McCormick, Amanda Houseman (Michael), Clarence "Mac" McCormick III and Katelyn McCormick and five great grandchildren, Aubrey, Grayson, Brooks, Sophia and Maxwell.

In keeping with Mr. McCormick's wishes, funeral services were held privately.

The burial with military honors took place at Overlook Cemetery in Bridgeton.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are requested to the First Presbyterian Church Memorial Fund, 119 W. Commerce St., Bridgeton, NJ 08302.

Written condolences and tributes may be expressed to the family at freitagfuneralhome.com.