Alphonse G. Mercier
1917 – 2010
RUMFORD — Alphonse G. Mercier, 93, of Summit Street, Mexico, and longtime resident of York Street, Rumford, died Friday, Feb. 5, at Rumford Hospital after a brief illness.
He was born in Rumford, Jan. 6, 1917, a son of George E. and Matilda (Coulombe) Mercier.
He graduated from St. John the Baptiste School and attended Stephens High School.
He served in the U.S. Army as a staff sergeant from 1942 to 1946. On May 19, 1949, he married Gertrude Blier and together they celebrated 57 years of marriage.
He was employed for 45 years with the Carey Oil Co. He was a communicant of Parish of the Holy Savior, served as a eucharistic minister for many years, and sang in the choir.
On Jan. 3, 2007, he received a legislative sentiment in honor of his 90th birthday, commemorating his community service; including membership in the Community Concert Association, and R.A.A.P.A., where he served as president for many years. He was also presented an award from the Knights of Columbus, Father A.J. Barry Council 2091 for his many years of dedicated service to the St. Athanasius and St. John Parish Community.
He spent many decades visiting the elderly, shut-ins and those hospitalized or in nursing homes. For more than 30 years, he organized and was master of ceremonies at the St. John’s Parish St. Patrick’s Day variety show.
He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed fishing, gardening and ice skating.
He was an avid body builder, boasting his total weight held of 996 pounds in the early 1940s.
Surviving are his daughter, Anne Young and husband, Robert, of Mexico; a sister, Theresa Duplisea of Las Vegas, Nev.; three grandchildren, Stephanie Turner and husband, Scott and their children Jordyn and Caleb of Mexico, Ryan Young and fiancé, Heidi and their children Alana and Ella of Mexico and Amy Levesque and husband, Lucas and their daughter Abby of Frenchville.
He was predeceased by his parents; his wife, Gertrude Blier Mercier in 2006; two brothers, Philip J. Mercier and George A. Mercier; and three sisters, Dorothy L. Carey, Evangeline H. Mercier and Dorothy Mercier.