Carol,
My sincerely condolences to you and the entire family. As a long-time neighbor, I knew Don to be kind and generous and funny - a warm-hearted person that will be missed terribly.

My deepest sympathy to all the family.  Don was a great neighbor and person.  He will be deeply missed.  Barb Deal

I enjoyed Don very much. He was a fine human being, a fun person, full of passion, full of humor, generous, compassionate. I remember I always enjoyed talking with him . He was always incredibly generous and elegant with my mother-in-law and we always appreciated that.

Don was one of the good guys. A true renaissance man, his sense of humor and humanity could make any situation more comfortable... make anyone feel important...  and make a difference when needed. He could also make a killer martini, but that is another story. d'Aulan and I met Don through work in the 1980s BC (before Carol), stayed in touch over the years, and recently enjoyed some very special times... though too few... with Don and Carol. We will miss Don's presence but look forward to celebrating his life, and a bit of his essence, with Carol as we carry on.

Don was the most elegant, suave man I ever met. And that's the second reason I loved him. His humor was the first reason.  Damn, we laughed. Don introduced me to NYC and for that, I will always be grateful.  And that the second reason I'm grateful.  Don introduced me to Carol and damn, we laughed together....and still do.  Don was a larger than life person and will always be remembered so very fondly. 

Gentle Man Don,
I often have flashbacks of his beautiful open face and twinkling blue eyes.
Over the years Don became my "go to " place for an uplift in a sometimes gloomy world. I looked forwArd  to his many emails which usually addressed current affairs or life's challenges. Though I could imagine him smirking, he always followed them with a positive spin.. 
Gentleman Don always listened so deeply that I always felt seen and completely received by him.That was Don's gift .
I notice that I am writing his as though he is only a phone call away. That is how real and alive a place he has in my heart.

Lady Louise

Don was a larger that life, big hearted and super talented painter. I was fortunate to get to know him . He was always inspiring and encouraging. He made great effort to come out to all the openings for our local artists with his lovely wife, Carol. I know that next time I am at an art opening, i will find myself looking for him, the gentle giant with the warm laugh.

Ah, Don, we miss you so.

Don and Warren met at IBM's White Plains School where they were Guest Instructors.  That was 50 years ago and we've been married 46 years so Don met Warren before I did.

Don and Carol and Warren and I had so much fun together.  Wherever we went, whatever we did.  
Carol/Don came for Christmas one year and we went to New York to celebrate Thanksgiving with them the next year.  They came for the Del Mar Fair one year with a concert following.  At the Fair, we suggested stopping at one of the booths and buying a couple of fish tacos.  Such an explosion of horror.  They could not believe we ate them.  Then they tried them and, of course, they now understand how good they are.  Then they came here for New Year's Eve and, as always, we laughed so much we had tears running down our faces.

I suggested to Carol that we rent a house in Taos, New Mexico, in May and not tell Don (surprise for his birthday) and we'll just pop up.  WOW, that was a great one.  We went to art shows and museums, the two guys took tons of pictures, we bought boots and made up songs, we had wonderful food and met lovely people and, again, we laughed until we cried.  It was a wonderful week.

One year we stayed at Mission Ranch which is owned by Clint Eastwood and what luck, he was there when we were.  We heard about San Ysidro Ranch up by Santa Barbara so a couple of years later we went.  There is a sign on each cottage with your name on it while you're staying there, so one night we snuck over & changed the Mertz to Tremz.  From that point on, Don referred to himself as Mr. Tremz and, of course, that's what we called him.

Don had an opening to show his black and white photos and he asked Warren to come up and help him hang all these for the party celebrating his opening.  That was entirely too much fun.  Don is taking pictures of Warren and Carol is taking pictures of Don taking pictures of Warren.  And, of course, Grey Squirrel was there which generated a great deal of raucous fun.

Don told Warren that a house he was living in was so drafty he could barely stand it.  Warren checked it out and said it needed serious caulking and he proceeded to go through a huge amount of caulking to seal that house up so tight that Don said he couldn't get enough air to breath.  Years later we stopped at their house in Cary on our way up from Hilton Head and as we walked up the path to the door, on a tree close to the front door was a caulking gun looking ever so much like it was growing there.

I went through my travel book and saw many we were there, they were here and we were there and they were here, etc., etc.  They were a good part of many happy days in our lives and we will miss that terribly.  We have such warm memories but if we could only have had him for a couple more weeks.  

This is just the tip of the iceberg but it's more of the same  the four of us had a great time together and there was always joy filled fun wherever we went.

Take care, Carol.  Hope to see you soon.

Love you,
Barbara and Warren

Dear Carol, Im so saddened to hear of Don's passing.  What an incredible loss! Im so grateful to have had some time with both of you and with Don's incredible artwork.  Much love to you.

Don had the best smile.  His whole face would smile.  It made him so approachable, knowing he would just take you in.  We did not know him very long, but he made a huge impact on all he met and touched.  He and Carol are most generous, kind and honest.  Together we knew we would always have good laughs and great conversation.  He is missed.  Carol you have our love and sympathy for your loss of a truly remarkable man.

Carol, I was saddened to hear of Don's passing.  We enjoyed having the two of you here with us at Glenaire.  Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Cathy Lamm

Kathy and I were lucky enough to see Don in his enviroment "midtown Mertz" this past fall...looking dapper as usual and being gracious as ever. 

Don was a wonderful part of B/W's culture in the 80's...lots of fun and great humor but always with a "soft" touch. Don never got carried away with some of the nasty competition, always having things in perspective.

Don shared himself with everyone and was so helpful to Kathy and I as we navigated NYC on week-ends. He and Carol were, for us, the "it" NYC couple!

I remember their wedding so well...all elegance...and all of Don's great guy friends roasting him! Of course he included all support staff from Princeton...that was Don!

Carol, of course, you knew how special Don was, but lots of us noticed that as well.

Best,

MIke and Kathy Quinlan

Gracious, charming, genuine, confident, congenial, accomplished, creative, immensely talented, intellectual in the most inclusive and engaging way, curious, generous of spirit, and so much fun to be around...these are just the immediate qualities that come to mind when describing Don Mertz. 

Carol, my heart goes out to you and Don's family. I am simply stunned to hear this sad news. I feel honored to have known him and am having trouble believing I won't see his big smile again. He will be missed by many and the art world has lost one of its best.

My sincere condolences to the entire Mertz family.  I worked with Don at Blessing/White.  He was larger than life and full of charm.  Even during the most difficult of times, he always made me laugh!  What a treasure it was to have known him and worked with him.  May your great memories replace your tears and know that he will always be with you.  Kathleen Updike

Don won mine all the hospital staff's hearts by his genuine smile and sense of humor even during toughest of time during last few months in the hospital. What a personality!! I will miss Carol and Don's exchanges during my rounds in the hospital.

I am holding you in the light during this very difficult time. Don was at very special man

Don brought light, life and laughter to any room. He was on my short list of "Men Who Should Be Cloned." I also remember him as a wise and sympathetic friend at a difficult time, and thank him for sharing his friend John Fado when I moved  to Seattle not knowing anyone.  
Peggy Wolff  (Seattle)


Dear Carol, 
I'm so sorry for your loss.  
Don was such a kind and thoughtful man, fun guy, full of love, the power forward of your beautiful team. 
God Bless you.

Don was a very special person.  He will be sorely missed.

I've known Don since 1983. I may never understand how so much charm, grace, wit, kindness and creativity could exist in one person. He brought a kind of magic to any circumstance. We were on sales calls together in Montreal to visit a bigwig at a large bank and I mistakenly brought mismatching pants and jacket from 2 different suits. It was embarrassing. Don found a shop and a tailor so I could quickly get a new suit. He thought it was great. A million jokes about how to explain the mismatched suit (this is how we wear them now in NYC, etc). But he turned the problem into a fun adventure. That night, he suggested we go to the Montreal comedy festival. All the acts were in French. "Don, why are we going to hear comedy acts all in French?" His reply, with that mischievous grin, "why not?" or, in French, "Pourquoi pas?" This became one of hundreds of "theme" jokes between us. It was a blast. A rare and beautiful person. I love you, Don.

I will miss him so much!  He was so much fun at the events as well as an amazingly talented artist!  Carol, my thoughts and love are with you and your kitties.

Carol, 
Our deepest sympathy to you and your family. Don was very loved and always ready to share his latest art endeavor with a huge smile. We'll miss that guy very much. May you find comfort in your loving memories. 
Sending love your way,

Dear Carol, 
I'm so glad to have gotten to know you and Don while I was in Raleigh. You both held a charming joyful elegance and warmth out to anyone who was interested in drawing near to you. Such a wonderful couple.

I think I'll never forget how Don's eyes would twinkle in any conversation we'd have, followed with a knowing grin and a good welcoming handshake. He was a great listener and so curious about sculpture and art and what made people think or feel certain ways. It was a joy talking with him and I was sorry I didn't get to see his studio, cigar and scotch in action.

We had a time in our first Alternatives to Violence Program workshop, where we had to select our nick names for the weekend, and he selected Delightful Don for his name.  It was lyrically perfect. Everytime I would see you and him afterwards I felt a lightness and delight in my life and a joy that you were both in the same space as me. Don epitomized delight, and he lived in a way that brought an urgency to what he thought and did that was joyful and refreshing. 

Please know you are loved and being held in prayer during this difficult time. I'm so glad Don touched all of our lives and am grateful for his love, humor and the expression of deep consideration he felt for others.

Carol, words cannot express our sadness for you.  We will miss Don, his wit, and his love.  We can't imagine losing a love so deep. We hold you in the Light with Love and Peace; hoping that you find comfort from your heart-held memories and the warmth and love of friends and family.   Deborah&John, Raleigh Friends Meeting

Holding you in love & Light, Carolyn.  I see Don's artistry in the clouds, daily. SCT, SC

Mertz (v.)- to be enveloped in a huge warm loving bear hug ( physically, mentally and emotionally).

Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.
-Gregory family

A Good friend and great art buddy.  Met him in Cardiac Rehab at Rex  many years ago.  I enjoyed his humor and ability to get along with every one.  Will miss him.  Best wishes Carol!!

Carole, it was always a delight to see you and Don at any art event. You always brought substance - and laughs! You will miss him so much. But you can take comfort in knowing how he adored you. We all adored you both, and our prayers are with you.

Condolences to the family. Knew Don through FALC. Met him in his garage studio on a Western Wake Art tour. Engaging personality, and lovely man all around. He will be missed in the art community, but will live on in his art. May the good Lord be your guide at this difficult time, and offer you His peace.

Larry and I send our deepest condolences to you, Carole, and to all of Don's extended family. It is hard to believe that Don is no longer with us, part of the scene, always a positive, hearty presence in our art gatherings. Don, together with Carole, supported the arts community in Cary, turning out for shows and events, bringing humor and warmth to every event. I remember Don's face so clearly, the last time I saw him at the Village Art Circle. I was rambling on and he heard me out with his infectious dimpled grin, eyes twinkling, interested and empathetic as always. His paintings were wonderful; authentic, strong, bold and full of energy. He is sorely missed.

One of the Bright Spots in my life was to be a colleague and a friend of Don. He will be sorely missed! Dave korenich

OBITUARY

Donald Francis Mertz Jr.

May 31, 1936 – May 10, 2017

Brown-Wynne Funeral Home

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