H. FRED MERCER Jr.

MERCER H. FRED, JR.
Passed away peacefully on August 14, 2010, at the age of 97. He was predeceased by his parents, H. Fred Mercer and Estelle Brown Mercer. He was born in Pittsburgh on September 29, 1912, and was a graduate of Shadyside Academy, Williams College and the University of Pittsburgh, and the University of Michigan where he received his Law Degree. He was predeceased by his wife of 55 years, Dorothy Elizabeth Swan Mercer and is survived by their three children, H. Fred Mercer, III (Gina), Marilyn Mercer Leppert (Lawrence), Hannah Dustin Mercer, and four grandchildren, Todd, Jenny, Katharine and Laura. He is one of nine siblings, seven of whom predeceased him. He is survived by his brother, Richard and sister, Natalie. Dad had a wonderful legal career that spanned three generations in Pittsburgh. He began in private practice in 1938 with his father, H. Fred, specializing in civil trial/personal injury litigation and later practiced with his son, H. Fred, III, who continues the practice today. Fred Mercer loved the law and was devoted to it, almost as much as he loved his family. It was his hobby. He called it his jealous mistress. To him, the law was a gift he could share with others to help them and make a positive difference in their lives. He gave personalized, professional attention to any matter he undertook. He was a member of the Allegheny Bar Association serving on the Judiciary and Ethics Committees, the Pennsylvania Bar Association where he was a member of the House of Delegates, The American Bar Association, the American Judicature Society, the Academy of Trial Lawyers of Allegheny County, the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, and the Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association. He was most proud of his election as a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. Until recently retiring, he was a longtime member of the Duquesne Club. He was a resident of Point Breeze for over forty years and was later a resident of Longwood. Funeral and interment at Homewood Cemetery will be private. Arrangements by JOHN A. FREYVOGEL SONS, INC. 412-621-1665.
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