Vernon S. Mercer

MONTPELIER – Vernon S. Mercer, 86-years-old and formerly of Northfield Street, passed away at Easter Sunrise on April 4, 2010, at the Woodridge Nursing Home in Berlin. He overcame cancer and heart disease and spent the last several years in general good health. Known to many as simply "Papa", he had a long and happy life.

Vernon was born in Wilmington, Del., on Dec. 10, 1923, to J. Walter Mercer and Mary Swayne Mercer and he lived in Mendenhall, Pa. for 25 years. He has a brother Lowell Mercer of Wilmington, Del. who survives him.

He graduated with a degree in electrical engineering from Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pa., in 1947 and went on to start a lifelong career with IBM, first in Philadelphia and then Poughkeepsie, N.Y. He married high school sweetheart Frances Phelps in 1948 and they raised five children together. After Vern's retirement in 1990, he and Frances moved to Montpelier to be near their daughter, Lauren, and her family. Sadly, not long after their move, Frances lost her battle with cancer in July of 1991.

During his life he was a scoutmaster, taught Sunday School at the Arlington Reformed Church, was a Deacon and a mentor for children at the Bethany Church, volunteered with children at Union Elementary School in reading and math and was a member of the Old Meeting House in East Montpelier. As an engineer, much of his spare time was spent as a computer hobbyist.

He also enjoyed many camping trips with his family that took them all over the U.S. and Canada. With the love of his life, Frances, he traveled to England, Spain and Hawaii and spent his entire life in love with her and the memory of her. In his latter years, he enjoyed visits with his five children and 12 grandchildren. Vern lived out the last 20 years of his life in the town he grew to love and call home.

Aside from his brother, he is survived by his children, Rodney of Washington, D.C., Barton and wife Heide of Fredericksburg, Va., Lauren and husband Wes Parker of Montpelier, Vt., Darren and wife Anna of Katonah, N.Y. and Pam and husband Doug Mola of Stonington, Conn.. He is also survived by grandchildren Christine (Tilt), Jason, Brian and Michael Mercer; Becky and Emily Parker; Natalie, Dayna, Luke and Kate Mercer; and Samantha and Kyle Mola.

His family would like to thank the wonderful caregivers and friends he had over the past several years at his home and then at Woodridge Nursing Home and of course the staff at Sarducci's, who always made him feel welcome and loved. It was their care and support that contributed to his last years being so memorable for him and all of his family.

Funeral services will be held in Kennett Square, Pa., at the Longwood Funeral Home with burial in the Longwood Cemetery near his beloved Longwood Gardens. A memorial service will be held in Montpelier in June to celebrate his life with his friends and family.

For those wishing to convey online condolences to the family, please visit www.Barber-Lanier.com.