James William Mercer

James William Mercer (Jim), 77, died December 25th, 2019 in Stafford, VA, after battling cancer for 7 months. He was preceded in death by his parents, James William Mercer and Florence Gaskell, and his sister Ann Russell. He is survived by his wife, Nancy, and 3 children, Kathy, Donna, and Jamie.

Jim was born in Newton-le-Willows, England, on April 19th, 1942. He attended engineering technical school and joined the Merchant Navy as an apprentice when he was 18. He traveled the world as an engineer and eventually came ashore in New York City in 1968, where he met the love of his life, Nancy Patti. They were married in 1971. Jim adopted Nancy's two daughters, Kathy and Donna and had a child of their own, Jamie.

Jim had a long and successful career as a mechanical engineer specializing in steam engines. He worked on ships and in power plants around the globe over the next 40 years. He became an American citizen in 1984. He would spend his spare time with family and friends, build models and watch westerns, John Wayne in particular.

To his friends and family, Jim was known for his sense of humor and his gigantic heart. He left every person he met and every place he visited in better shape just by being himself and spreading his infectious love of life.