Stephen E. Mercer

Stephen Earl Mercer, 72, beloved husband of Marie (Rieth) Mercer, passed away peacefully with his devoted wife and loving family and friends by his side, Monday, May 22, after a brief but courageous battle with cancer.

Born in New Haven July 12, 1950, to the late Michael Mercer and Pauline Still, Steve resided in East Lyme the past 21 years. He spent his initial years in Hamden, but soon moved to Old Saybrook, where he attended local schools and graduated from Old Saybrook High School in 1969. In 1971, Steve joined the U.S. Army, serving in Vietnam, where he earned a National Defense Service Medal and was rated a Sharpshooter on a rifle.

After being honorably discharged in 1973 from Fort Lee, Steve returned to Old Saybrook, earned an Associate Degree from Middlesex Community College and began what became a long career as a master machinist, focusing largely on gauges and quality control for such companies as Pratt & Whitney, United Nuclear Corporation, and Ozone Industries. He and Marie met in 1977 and married on March 17, 1979. Together, they raised two daughters, Angela and Patricia, at homes in Old Saybrook, Plainfield, and finally in East Lyme. He retired in 2014 from Plas-Pak Industries in Norwich. Steve thoroughly enjoyed his retirement as he and Marie doted on their grandchildren, went on “large family” vacations to Disney World and other sites, and visited with family and friends. His daughters will remember him as a devoted father and family man, who always allowed them to practice their “beauty salon” skills on him. Steve, who in his younger years enjoyed multiple outdoor sports, also was an avid golfer, knew his way around a pool table, and was known for his “bear-hug” greetings and hearty, infectious laugh.

Besides Marie, he is survived by his two daughters and their spouses, Angela and Justin Zizik, and Patricia and Steven Sanford; his brother and sister-in -law Charles and Kathy Mercer; sister Paula Nash-Stuart; sister and brother-in-law Tammy and William Ponterella; four grandchildren, Zoey, Madison and Michael Zizik, and Presley Sanford, all of whom loved to play “Papa and the Troll” with him; many nieces, nephews, grand nieces and grand nephews; other family members; and life-long friend Reed Peters. Besides his parents, he is predeceased by his stepfather Maurice Hoar, niece Michelle Nash and nephew Brian Mercer.

Relatives and friends are invited to a viewing Thursday May 25, from 5 to 8 p.m., at Swan Funeral Home, 1224 Boston Post Road, Old Saybrook, CT. A gravesite ceremony will be held at 11 a.m., May 26, at Riverside Cemetery, Sheffield Street, Old Saybrook.