Frederick Theodore Mercer
August 2, 1938 ~ December 1, 2016 (age 78) 78 Years OldShare using:
Frederick T. Mercer, age 78, a loving father, grandfather, great grandfather and brother passed away Thursday, December 1, 2016. He was born August 2, 1938 and raised in Dover, Delaware, the son of Dr. Eugene Harold and Louise Elizabeth (nee Hangsterfer) Mercer.
He was a graduate of Dover High School Class of ’56 and St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia. He served his country proudly in the US Air Force as an officer and a gentleman. Fred was a longtime resident of Texas, Florida and New Mexico. Until his retirement in 2003, his professional career involved working for IBM and Sperry Rand Corp.(later Sperry UniSYS) as a systems engineer and later as regional marketing manager . Fred was known for his great story telling, sense of humor and love for golf as well as water sports. He was never hesitant in bragging about the accomplishments of his children and grandchildren whom he dearly loved.
He is survived by his daughter Karen Lee Hendricks and her husband Greg of Grand Prairie, TX; daughter Sandra Lynn Mercer of Albuquerque, NM; daughter Elizabeth Anne Shipley and her husband Pahl of Albuquerque, NM; his granddaughter Ashleigh Elizabeth Joyce and her husband Jarod; grandson Christopher Stephen Hendricks and his fiancé Jourdan Newman; granddaughter Erin Marie Gasser; and grandsons Charles and Nicholas Shipley; and his great granddaughter Carson Maryclaire Hendricks. He is also survived by his brother Eugene H. Mercer, Jr. and his wife Clara of Jackson, NJ; brother Dr. Thomas W. Mercer and his wife Jan of Dover, DE; brother Michael P. Mercer and his wife Kathy of Dover, DE; and sister Mary Louise Fillingame and her husband Richard of Daytona Beach, FL. He also leaves behind many cherished nieces, nephews, and cousins. Also touching Fred’s life were very special friends Claire and Vince Gallipoli. Fred is preceded in death by his parents and infant son Brian Scott Mercer.
On Thursday, December 8, 2016 a gathering of family and friends will begin at 10am followed by A Mass of Christian Burial at 11am at the Pippin Funeral Home, 119 W. Camden-Wyoming Ave, Wyoming, Delaware 19934. A graveside service will be held, immediately following the Mass, at the Holy Cross Catholic Church Cemetery, Dover, Delaware. Memorial contributions may be made to Paws and Stripes, at pawsandstripes.org, a nonprofit providing service dogs for wounded military veterans. Letters of condolences can be sent via www.pippinfuneralhome.com
