Robert Sands Mercer

We have lost another one of our WWII veterans. Former representative in the New Hampshire State Legislature, Robert S. Mercer, who had a distinguished second career in state government including time as an Assistant Majority Leader, died peacefully, Wednesday, December 19, 2018 at the LRGH in Laconia, NH. Robert was born on February 21, 1925 in Nashua, NH, son of the late Ottis (Sands) and Sarah (Morgan) Mercer who were also dedicated to civic service.
He proudly served his country as a first Lieutenant in the Army Air Corps., enlisting when he was only 17 years old. When he reported for duty, he looked so young, that the MPs thought he was impersonating an officer. He was in the 318th Checker Tail Fighter Squad, stationed in Italy, and flew P-40 and P-51 fighter planes. He was still telling stories of those times to the last, as long as there was someone there to listen. He was a graduate of Nashua High School and received his Bachelors of Industrial Psychology from UNH. When he was starting out in the work place he found his greatest joy working for the Senate Radio and TV Gallery in Washington D.C., but returned home to help his ill father and brother at the Mercer Brother’s Garage. He later began employment at Sander’s Associates as a Personnel Manager and worked with Senator Cotton as a liaison for Sanders. Robert retired from their employ 25 years later.
Sports were a very large part of Bob’s life. He was a lifetime member of the NH Football Association and a devoted fan of the New England Patriots. He enjoyed coaching football and officiating basketball with his sons. He also umpired baseball games. Bob enjoyed hunting with his in-laws, fishing with his brother, and golfing with friends. He sang bass in the Nashua Choral Society and played trumpet in many bands over the years including the Army Air Corps Band and the American Legion Band. More recently he looked forward to his annual trips to St. Petersburg, FL with his significant other Barbara A. Rousseau.
Robert is predeceased by his wife of almost 50 years Audrey (Lund) Mercer of Hollis, NH, who passed away in 1996 and his younger brother, Paul Mercer, who passed away in 2011. Another person who should be named is Avis Nichols who worked with Bob in the legislature and later became a companion of Bob’s for many years.
Robert is survived by Barbara and his sons, Greg Mercer of Long Island, NY and Jay Mercer of Nashua and his daughter Sarah Mercer who lives in the Hudson Valley in NY. Robert also leaves behind a granddaughter Nicole Mueller and was happily still with us to see his great-granddaughter Rowan’s christening in February.
SERVICES: Friends and family are invited to attend calling hours on Wednesday, January 2, 2019 from 6-8PM at the Davis Funeral Home, 1 Lock St., Nashua. A Masonic Service will take place at 7:30PM. A funeral service will be taking place the following day, Thursday, January 3 at 12:30PM at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 58 Lowell St., Nashua. Burial will follow in Edgewood Cemetery, Amherst St., Nashua. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are encouraged to be sent to the Masonic Rising Sun Lodge #39, 196 Main St. #16, Nashua, NH 03060.