Carmen Edward Mercadante

Carmen Edward Mercadante AmsterdamCarmen E. Mercadante passed away peacefully on June 7, 2014, at the Wilkinson Facility. He was a previous resident of Laurel Drive, Amsterdam and the Hillcrest Spring Adult Community. He was born on January 13, 1918, in Amsterdam, NY, son of the late Salvatore and Margaret Vitale Mercadante. He was a graduate of Wilbur H. Lynch High School, Class of 1936, where he was an outstanding athlete on the varsity basketball and baseball teams. He graduated with honors in 1940 from Michigan State University, where he played freshman and varsity basketball and earned a BS in business administration. Carmen served in the US Army during World War II from 1942 to 1945 in a special services company attached to the First Army in Europe. He saw duty in England, France, Belgium and Germany. Following his discharge from the Army, he married Vincenza Pacino on September 22, 1946. Together, they celebrated 67 years of marriage. Carmen's work history began as a personnel manager at the Bigelow-Sanford Carpet Mills. He also served as recreation supervisor for the City of Amsterdam. He later became a recreation specialist at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Palo Alto, CA, and after moving back East, was a Personnel Management Specialist at the VA Hospital in West Haven, CT where he remained until his retirement in 1979. Post retirement and a return to his hometown, Carmen served as a substitute teacher for 20 years in the GASD. Carm had a lifelong passion for the game of golf. He was the last surviving charter member of the Amsterdam Municipal Golf Course and served the course over the years, including as president of the Amsterdam Golf Association in 1989. He scored two holes in one at the Muni during his golfing career and won the Club Championship at the Pine Valley Country Club in Southington, CT in 1971 and 1974. His other hobbies and interests included fishing, bowling and flower gardening. He was a longtime member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Amsterdam, with membership and fundraising involvement in the Holy Name Society and Knights of Columbus. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his beloved wife, Vincenza, his sister, Anna M. Goode, and his infant brother, Raffaele. Surviving are his loving children, Judith Heller (Richard) of Niskayuna, Janice Duchessi (John) and Joel Mercadante (Christine) of Amsterdam. He was affectionately known as Poppy Merc to his grandchildren, Sarah Heller Forsyth of Eugene, OR, Christopher Heller (Anne) of Niskayuna, Jamie and Torrey Duchessi of Amsterdam, Faith Mercadante of Johnstown and Adam Mercadante of San Diego, CA; and great-grandchildren Matthew, Andrew, and Katherine Forsyth, and Bradley and Davis Heller. He is also survived by his brother-in-law, Joseph Pacino (Marie) of Amsterdam; and nieces, nephews and cousins. Carmen is remembered for his reasonable nature, calm demeanor, strong work ethic, honesty and integrity, and gentle smile. The family is appreciative to the staff at both the Hillcrest Spring Adult Home and the Wilkinson Facility for their kindness, care and attention given to him while residing there. Relatives and friends are invited to call on Tuesday, June 10, 2014 from 10 to 11 a.m. at De Stefano Funeral Home, Rt. 5-S,, Amsterdam followed by a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 11:15 a.m. at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church. Burial will follow at Mount Carmel Cemetery with military honors. Memorial contributions may be made to Mount Carmel Cemetery Fund, P.O. Box 699, Amsterdam, NY 12010.FUNERAL HOME
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