Richard T Mercadante

Richard (Dick) T. Mercadante, 85, of Manahawkin, NJ, passed away on March 24th after a long but valiant battle with kidney disease.

Dick was born on July 30th, 1936 to Gaetano and Angela Mercadante in South Orange, NJ. After graduating from South Orange High School, he went on to obtain his bachelor’s degree in Psychology/Business Administration from St. Lawrence University and then to graduate school in Logistics Management at Florida Institute of Technology.

After participating in the ROTC program at St. Lawrence University, he joined the Army where he served a twenty-two year career, retiring in 1980 at Lieutenant Colonel. He was awarded the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal, National Defense Service Metal, Victorious Service Metal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Metal and Senior Parachutist/Ranger Qualification Badges.

During his military service he was an Assistant of Military Science at Gonzaga University, WA; served two combat tours in Vietnam; Chief Maintenance and Instruction Activity, Fort Lee; Deputy and Chief Logistics Officer, Vicenza Italy; and Chief of Logistics, New Cumberland Army Depot. Dick was recognized as a 100% disabled Veteran due to his exposure of toxic chemicals during his tours in Vietnam that led to his kidney disease later in life.

After his military service, he was a senior level executive at CACI, Omni Tech and Lear Siegler Avionics Corporation managing many technical and logistics defense programs in support of the Department of Defense and other U.S. Federal Agencies.

As a native New Jerseyan, he grew up spending summers at the Jersey shore with his family and beloved sister Rosann and Ron Dugas and cousins Jack and Jojo Britting. He and Rosann were the head chefs preparing large family meals in our summer rental on Long Beach Island for all the cousins Guy, Suzanne, Linda, Lori, Liz and Rick.

In 1991, Dick married Rose Kelly, and lived in South Orange, NJ then moving to Manahawkin, NJ in 1999. He remained married to his beloved Rose until her death on December 23, 2015.

After retiring in 2005, Dick spent his time pursuing his interests and loves including spending time with his family, 11 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren and friends, flying his tandem kites, cooking, volunteering at Ken’s Kitchen for St. Mary’s Parish in Barnegat, NJ, and an active member of Our Lady of the Pines and donating to the many causes close to his heart including the Disabled Veterans National Foundation, ASPCA and many church organizations.

Dick is survived by his beloved sister Rosann Dugas, his son Rick Mercadante and his wife Zorica Mercadante and their children Sofia and Nicholas, daughter Lori Murphy and her husband Sean Murphy and their children Ian, Amber and Michael, daughter Liz Larson and her husband Jamie Larson and children Terra and Daniela and stepson Kevin Kelly and his wife Eileen Kelly and children Elizabeth, Laura, Kellie and Joseph.

Viewing service will be held at the Thos L. Shinn Funeral Home, 10 Hillard Drive, Manahawkin, NJ 08050, on Wednesday, March 30th from 4 to 6 pm.

Church service will be held at St. Mary of the Pines, 100 Bishop Way, Manahawkin, NJ 08050, on Thursday, March 31st from 12:30 to 1:30 pm.

A memorial lunch will be held immediately following the church service at Manera’s Restaurant, 291 NJ-72 E, Manahawkin, NJ for family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, Dick has requested a donation be made to the Wounded Warriors Foundation in his name at www.garysinisefoundation.org.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.shinnfuneralhome.com for the Mercadante family.