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1961 - 2021

BORN

1961

DIED

2021

About

Duke University

DAVID MERCER Obituary

David L. Mercer (Age 60)
Of Washington, DC passed away peacefully with his family by his side on December 9, 2021, after a heroic battle following cancer treatment. He was born on March 29, 1961 in Sausalito, California. After graduating from Milton Academy in 1979, David went on to study public policy at Duke University for three years, and completed his final year at Principia College, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science. David pursued a successful career in politics, serving in numerous senior-level roles, including as a member of the 1992 Clinton/Gore press advance team, the Deputy National Finance Director for the Democratic National Committee (DNC), the DNC's '96 Convention Finance Director, a Trustee for the 2000 Gore/Lieberman Presidential Campaign, a member of the Kerry/Edwards 2004 Presidential Campaign Leadership Council, and as a media adviser for the 2008 Hillary for President Campaign. As the founder of Mercer & Associates, David became a nationally-recognized Democratic strategist, government relations advisor, and media commentator on Fox News, France24 and SkyNews. Anyone who met David was touched by his kindness, positive attitude, dashing style and radiant smile. President Clinton and Secretary Clinton said: "David was a good and gifted man, who enriched many lives and had much more to give. We hope we can all work to be a little more like him." He is survived by his beloved mother, Sylvia Mercer, brother, Scott Mercer, sister-in-law, Celia Mercer, and nephews, Jason and Brandon Mercer. A memorial service will be held in Washington, DC in early 2022. Details will be forthcoming.

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Published by The Washington Post on Dec. 12, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for DAVID MERCER

10 Entries

Alexia Norton Jones

December 6, 2024

David, I think of you, your brother Scott and your mother Sylvia on my mother Anne´s own passing anniversary. Like my mother Anne, who loved you and your brother so much, you were such a gentle, kind soul. A wonderful addition to our home as often as you were there (nearly daily it seemed!).
On our family´s deeply saddest day (after our mother had been missing for nearly a week) it was your mother Sylvia who drove with us to the Wilton, CT police station once they had found her car. Naively I thought she was still alive. Although I recall our mothers being best friends, I don´t recall seeing her again after that day. But I recall seeing you. Thank you for being such a dear friend to my brothers. It was not an easy time. When you passed I wrote then Sec Clinton and asked her to be sure your family was OK. It´s what my mother Anne would have wanted me to do. And so I did. Rest in peace dear David. You were better than most.

Bill Hayden

December 6, 2023

David was a true American who believed in freedom, human rights & democracy.

I was fortunate to meet him in 1986 in Boston on a Congressional campaign. Both young and both passionate about democracy and change. Later we moved onto a profit/nonprofit company in Boston (explanation for another time) as we went our separate career paths I lost touch with him. Fortunately, or due to karma(?), we connected thru Facebook many years later. I had just had 4 major strokes and befuddled how to move forward with my crippled brain. He unselfishly opened up his heart to tell me what he had gone through with his brain injury recovery and encouraged me to push forward and never give up! His INSPIRING words allowed me to push through one of the darkest times of my life! He truly made a difference in one life - Mine.

Our friendship rekindled and we would chat now and again whenever I sought clarity on a political issue making the headlines! David KNEW politics!

More than that, David KNEW caring for others!

With today´s current global crisis I would give so much for his take on things!

David, you are missed but your memory & compassion live on!

Thank you, dear mentor & friend!

John Hemingway

September 15, 2022

My condolences to David's family, especially to his mother who I met once. He was my friend and roommate back in 1970/71 at Rumsey Hall School. I never saw him again after that year.

Alexia Norton Jones

August 26, 2022

David was A near fixture in my childhood home, along with his brother Scott. He was cherished by my family. The kindest, sweetest, and most gentle soul. I learned about his passing by chance. So heartbreaking. Life is deeply unfair. Condolences to his family.

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Branden Lan

January 15, 2022

Mercer, I just read the news, man. Dude, you were such a kind guy. Heaven has become smarter, stronger, and classier, too. Love ya, dude

Leslie Rice

Planted Trees

Andrea Burton

December 18, 2021

David was my high school love. We were good friends but actually got closer as adults. He was always willing to help and to lend an ear. We missed him at the last reunion but he has always been in our thoughts. David was the full package: varsity captain, good looking, smart, kind, great sense of humor. And he had a sweetheart of a girlfriend in prep school. They don´t make them like David. He will truly be missed.

Frank Titus

December 13, 2021

RIP Dave.

Bill Hayden

December 13, 2021

I worked with David on a congressional campaign in 1986 in Boston and subsequently at CEC

I reconnected with him a few years ago on Facebook. I was beginning my journey with what would become Early Onset Dementia. David opened up and shared with me his terrible experience of being attacked & his subsequent fight to recover! He did this NOT to brag but to give me a boost and INSPIRE me! He told me to move forward and keep trying to not let my disease take me!

Of course many times since then I´ve chatted with him about the obsession /passion we both shared ... DEMOCRACY!!

Hugs to all his Fay& friends! He is gone physically but remains in his lessons of people, life & love

Caryn Cabaniss

December 12, 2021

Dear Mrs. Mercer,
I send my most heartfelt condolences. David touched my heart as a brother would to his sister. He was so smart. He was extremely kind. You brought him up to be such an incredible gentleman. He impressed me so. I loved talking with him about anything and arguing about the meaning of this word or that word. He was an admirable man. He was such a good friend to my husband Richard who is sorely feeling the loss. I want you to know that I feel that David is at peace. He fought as hard as he could. Like the thoughtful man that he was, he even called to chat and laugh right before Thanksgiving which we now know was his own way of saying goodbye and allowing us to remember him with a smile. He left on his own terms and I admire him for his strength. Thank you for sharing him with us. I hope that we can be a comfort to you as the years pass.

Love,

Caryn Cabaniss and Richard Mudd

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