Jesuito Emerito Mercado

Background for Jesuito Emerito Aquino Mercado:Grandfather: Miguel Atienza Mercado
Grandmother: Emilia Camposano Daen
Father: Bienvenido Daen Mercado
Mother: Corazon Aurora Aquino Mercado
Mercado Family Lineage: The Mercado family were wealthy farmers who rented land from the Dominican religious order. Descendants of a Chinese immigrant named Domingo Lam-co, they changed their name to Mercado ("market") under the pressure of anti-Chinese feeling amongst the Spanish colonizers. The Mercado lineage originates from the Albay Province by the foothills of scenic Mayon Volcano. Notable family member of the Mercado line includes Francisco Rizal Mercado, Father of Jose Protasio Rizal Mercado (June 19, 1861 - December 30, 1896) – the 1st Philippine National Hero.
Jesuito Emerito Aquino Mercado, 66, died on September 4, 2023. He was born on September 22, 1956 in Quezon City, Philippines & after his 20 year career in the Air Force, spent the remainder of his 27 years in Jacksonville, Florida.
Jesuito leaves behind his beloved daughter Linda (Markus) Isaacs and grandchildren Steele and Elias; sister Joy Anderson (Tom) godchild and niece Tracy Anderson, nephew Benjamin Anderson (Yoko) and grandnephew Takuma Anderson; brother Joel (Dolores), numerous cousins, aunts and uncles.
Life of Jesuito Emerito Aquino Mercado:
Jesuito Emerito Aquino Mercado (September 22, 1956 – September 4, 2023) Middle Son of Bienvenido Daen Mercado (deceased) & Corazon Aurora Aquino Mercado (deceased) from Quezon City, Luzon, Philippines. Siblings are Marie Josephine Mercado & Joselito Ildefonso Aquino Mercado.
Jesuito ("Wito" as he was fondly known by) grew up in a middle-class household. His father, Bienvenido Mercado was an Engineer Technician for Seaboard Coastline Railways & his mother, Corazon Aurora Aquino Mercado was a teacher for a catholic private school. As a kid with a mechanical discipline, Wito attended Catholic private schools beginning with La Salle, Don Bosco Technical Institute, & Quiapo Parochial School.
In 1970, Wito immigrated with the family to the U.S., settling in Jacksonville, Florida. He attended Robert E. Lee High School in 1970 and transferred to Edward H. White High School where he graduated in 1974. In 1976, Wito joined the United States Air Force which would become a 20-year career.
Wito worked in maintenance of ejection seat systems for fighter aircraft. His military assignments took him overseas to RAF Lakenheath, England as his base of operation. His love for travel & adventure took him to countries like Norway, Incirlik in Turkey, & Austria.
Upon his return to the U.S. Wito took an assignment to Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada while transitioning to the computer maintenance field from 1980 to 1984. He returned for another overseas tour back to RAF Lakenheath, England. Returning to the U.S. Wito accepted an AF assignment in Rome, NY where he worked until he retired in 1996.
Wito returned back to Jacksonville, FL. He was hired by CSX and worked on railway warning systems which had switched towards digitalization. He remained with the company from 1998 up until his passing.
Wito was admired & loved by his family & friends for his charming personality, infectious laugh, gentle disposition, plus a great cooking talent. He enjoyed family gatherings, fishing, traveling, and home improvement projects. Wito was selfless when it came to helping others & compassionate to people in need. His love for life and openness to trying new things serves as an example of a life well lived to everyone who knew him.
A memorial service for Jesuito will be held Saturday, September 16, 2023 at 2:00 PM at Most Holy Redeemer, 8523 Normandy Blvd, Jacksonville, Florida 32221.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hgriversidefuneralhome.com for the Mercado family.