I  am so sorry to hear about Don's passing.  I worked with Don for many years at Paychex and he was an integral park of my success with the company.  We shared a love for our dogs and I hope he's with his Bailey and my Porsche. Don was such a good, gracious man full of integrity and warmth and this world is a much sadder place without him in it.

My deepest sympathies for Pat, Brad, and Courtney.

Mi querida Pat, no sabes cuanto lo siento, y cuanto vamos a extrañar a "Don Don". Él tuvo suerte de tenerte, y tu de tenerlo a el. Te mandamos abrazos Jorge, Maya y yo. DEP.

Dear Pat, Courtney , and Brad,
Don was a loving, devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He was full of joy when talking of his family. Also he was a friend to many. This kind, supportive, generous, humble man knew intuitively what friendship meant.
He was a long dear friend of my deceased husband Gene and they shared the same experiences as graduates of Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio a Jesuit institution. He was best man in our wedding. l am very fortunate to be able to have called him friend and My family and I have cherished memories shared of Don and his family through the years.
His smile and laughter is enduring,
God Bless all of you for your loss and for all of ours too
Peggy Hille

Dear Pat and Family,I am so very sorry for this tremendous loss. Your husband, father,uncle, friend is now experiencing the joys of Heaven, the music of angels, and a paradise of eternity with his beloved Lord!Faith is an incredible thing. We cherish it. We say we believe. We trust and hope until that day when the Lord's appointed hour arrives. Yes, we are sad. We miss the smile, the tender touch, the ways he provided and cared for his family.But Jesus most lovingly, reached out and carried Don through the Gates into eternal bliss. We are the ones now, who must believe, trust and hope with a renewed Faith, because it is all true. Yes, there is a God. Yes, Jesus saves us and promises us His Kingdom.All we must now do is to love one another, carry hope in our hearts, and cling to the truth that we will see our loved ones again.  Jesus, Lord, we trust in you.Don, rest in peace.

Dear Brad and Courtney (Kiki),  We are sad to hear of your loss.  We were your neighbors on Port Weybridge and think of you often.  You two enjoyed our sons Jeff, Eric, and Steven White.  One time we ran into your Dad at a rest.  We decided to sit together and had a fun conversation.  Your Dad insisted on paying for our meal.  Thats the kind of Dad he always was.  Know you and your family are in our thoughts.  

Don was a wonderful man with a kind nature and a warm chuckle.  He was a gracious host and a good friend to all.  His dogs adored him.  I will remember him as a man of faith, family and finance.

Don was an amazing person; a true gentleman and professional. I

Don was a wonderful man and tremendous leader.  If not for his encouragement and direction my career and life would have turned out quite differently. I can hear his voice now saying "Let me put it this way", so often his famous opening words.  We'll miss you Don and remember you with much fondness. Thank you for being you.

I had the privilege of working for Don at Paychex for over 28 years.  He was a great leader and mentor. He was strong yet compassionate and had a tremendous work ethic. One of the things I most admired about Don was his integrity in always doing the right thing.

I will miss his warm smile and will cherish all of the memories.

R.I.P. Uncle Don.  You were always very kind to me and you will be greatly missed.  Prayers for your family during this difficult time.

A warm smile, a gentle way, a bright mind, a generous spirit;  the rock we leaned on in the worst of times, and the best friend possible. Don. 


Thank you for giving this rough edged guy early career direction  so many years ago.  I will remember those late night Precision Payroll  acquisition recap meetings over late night dinners fondly.  God. Less you and your family.

Dear Brad,

I am very sorry for the loss of your dad. I remember the few times I met him, that he was very giving man, who adored his family.  Much peace to you and your family during this difficult time.  

Dearest Pat, May the memories of your special love for Don return each day to bring you comfort.
With deepest sympathy. Fondly, Joan Mersch Reinhold.

I am so sad to hear this. Don Mersch was the most gracious humble strong leader. He made Orange County Paychex and the whole west coast the success it is today.. I was so fortunate to know and work with him. He will be missed by so many he touched and trained.

Julie encouraged me to share a note here, so please forgive its length. I moved up north and haven't seen Don in person for awhile, but seeing him would be like no time had passed. My memories of him are so strong:  

Don was a big drink of a fellow, mature and super-kind and nice to all. From my first meeting of Don at Pat's small faith study or prayer group (was it Renew? I can't remember), I remember he was curious about other people, he asked questions to get to know them, he was a good listener, and he had a ready chuckle and smile, and kind eyes.  He was also focused... on Pat, as I recall.. ha!  I think he must have liked her from the start.  But even so, he was really easy to get along with, easy to like. And he never changed. 

Theirs was a beautiful, wonderful -- I'd say probably one of my favorite, and definitely the most memorable, weddings.  Since their November engagement announcement, Pat had lost her elder sister quickly and suddenly to cancer and her mother began a decline in health that sped up near the their wedding date.

Don was with Pat -- a rock, a tremendous gift, to her -- throughout that long year, even as they planned every inch (and i mean EVERY INCH) of their wedding. These two are P.L.A.N.N.E.R.S..  Generous, Kind, Welcoming.. yet still both Type A -- ALL. THE. WAY.

The contradicting forces of tremendous beauty, joy, happiness, mixed with unimaginable loss was with them even on their wedding day.

The day before the wedding, I still vividly remember the throng of close friends of Pat's waiting in the Santa Barbara Four Seasons, but outside the event room, for Pat to arrive for a luncheon in her honor.  It was over an hour and no Pat.  She was with her mother, we knew, as her mom took a tough turn.  We were all praying for her in our hearts.  Then she arrived, greeting everyone amid her own suffering -- Don was the same way. 

Full steam ahead, focus on others not self.  That was Don.

As you know, Pat's mom died surrounded by her closest living relatives from all corners of the world, and her daughter, and peacefully, the morning of the wedding.  It was the only way she could have seen Pat and Don's wedding, from above looking down with Pat's father.

Their reception was held in the back yard of a stunning half-timber house rumored to be owned by the original Marlboro Man.  I don't know, but it was a beautiful wedding.  God's perfect timing, though sorrowful, had left them free to travel wherever they wanted, without worries for anyone else's care.

Soon after their marriage -- I WILL NEVER EVER FORGET -- as they were completely revamping their house -- Pat was giving a few of us a quick tour through the skeletal bones of the new house, pointing out what room would be where.  The highlight for me was learning that Don insisted on having a telephone in the bathroom. (obviously before cell phones and the magic "mute" button)

Don remains the only person I know who had a phone -- a landline -- in his bathroom.

This is true to Don's gentle but quite persistent and focused drive to achieve -- to close a sale, to solve a customer problem, etc.  That was Don, the man with the phone in the bathroom.  A man of action.  A man whose word was as good as done.

I also recall Don as GRILLMASTER at many Our Lady Queen of Angels events, and elsewhere.

Don never meet a stranger.  Only friends.

Always welcoming. Always wonderful, listening, kind... and focused on with whom he was talking.

A VERY GOOD MAN.

I'm very sorry for our earthly loss, but I can see him firing up the grill up above!

With prayers,
Karen (Walker)

Don was a wonderful gentle man with a kind heart and a love for humanity, especially those that Corazon serves in Baja Mexico.  His dedicated service to the Board of Corazon, and his many hours spemt in shepherding our finances and accounting practices are an inspiration to the rest of us on the Board.  Rest in Peace and know that you are missed greatly.

Don was one of my late husband's best friends and I will always cherish the memories of our good times together in Cincinnati. Don was in our wedding and was always so supportive of his dear friends in Cincinnati.   Mostly I will cherish the memory of an outstanding and exemplary person who was the best kind of friend.  Rest in peace dear Don and say hello to John for me
Carolyn Scheve, Cincinnati, Ohio

Dear Don, May your soul rest in the peace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  
Love you and miss you.
 Your brother Jerry.

Mr. Mersch -you were an Amazing person. Very Warm loving and Accepting I will always cherish my moment know you and your family. You will always be my favorite "officer:"  with much love and respect I will miss you. Love, Rob Goode (BoBo) Jamestown Ri

I remember the days in Cincinnati where us cousins grew up in St. Boniface Parish where our fathers help build the Church and School. Marilyn Mersch.

In memory of my loving father. We love you forever and will always keep your memory alive.

My dad was the most amazing man I ever knew. My heart is broken forever and I will miss my dad so much. I know he will always watch over all of us.   Dad ,I love you so much and will never forget you.   Rest In Peace to the most loving man, son , brother and father.  Until I see you again. Love always❤

OBITUARY

Donald Joseph Mersch

April 24, 1938 – October 27, 2017

Pacific View Mortuary & Memorial Park

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