Obituary for Thomas "Ticket Tom" Mercer
MERCER
Thomas Ralph
November 4, 1935 – April 21, 2019
It is with great sadness that we the family of the late Thomas Mercer announce his peaceful passing at the James Paton Memorial Health Care Centre on Sunday April 21, 2019 at the age of 83 years. He was predeceased by his parents Joseph & Emma Mercer of Port Albert, NL; parents-in-law Stephen & Edith Goldsack of Folkestone, England; brothers-in-law: Harvey Luff, Eric Goldsack; sisters-in-law: Mildred mercer, Margaret North and Phylis Dawney. Leaving to mourn with fond and loving memories his wife Lilian; daughter Denise Elliott (Ivan); sons: Alexandre Mercer (Lori), Steven Mercer; grandsons: Christopher Elliott (Christine), David Elliott (Eva), Andrew Mercer; granddaughters: Stephanie Mercer (Andrew), Melissa Mercer; great grandchildren: Alexander, Chelsea, Cameron, Hannah; brothers: Gerald Mercer, Robert Mercer (Doris), Reginald Mercer (Doris), Carl Mercer (Gloria), Scott Mercer (Mary); sisters: Margaret Mercer (Ted), Phylis Luff; brother-in-law Stephen Goldsack (Trish) also a large circle of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.
Born during the great depression, in a tiny out-port (Port Albert) in Notre Dame Bay, Tom, like many young men at the time, left school early and pursued employment in the woods of Central newfoundland. Then he moved on to work construction at CFB Gander, before he enlisted in the Canadian Armed Forces in the 1950’s.
His military career would last for more than twenty years, and lead him to travel the world. During these travels he would meet Lilian Goldsack in her hometown of Folkestone, England. He married Lilian in 1958, and spent the rest of his life with her.
Upon his departure from Military life, he, along with Lilian and their three children, moved back to the community of his origin, Port Albert. Throughout his time in Port Albert he was very much involved, serving on various committees and working for the betterment of his community.
While building his new home in Port Albert, he pursued and trade in auto body, and working for a GM dealer in Gander, and eventually opening his own shop in 1989 – Mercer’s Auto Body. This trade would see him through to his actual retirement in 1995.
In 2003 Tom & Lilian moved to Gander permanently. Soon after this move, he became bored with retirement and started selling raffle tickets for various organizations & charities. He became very well known, with many locals referring to him as “Ticket Tom” or “the Old Man in the Mall.” Over the last few years he took great pleasure spending time with his “Mall Family” and the many patrons who would stop by his table to chat or listen to one of his many stories and jokes.
In keeping with his wishes cremation has taken place. The family will be receiving friends at Stacey’s Funeral Home, Gander on Tuesday April 23, 2019 from 7-9 p.m. and on Wednesday April 24, 2019 between the hours of 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. Funeral service Saturday April 27th at 2:00 pm at the united Church Port Albert. IAs expressions of sympathy flowers are graciously accepted or donations may be made in Tom’s memory to a charity of one’s choice. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Stacey’s Funeral Home Gander/Carmanville and to leave a message of condolence please visit our website at www.staceysfuneralhome.ca
As you often referred to the newspaper obituary page to see if your name was there and to make a joke that it wasn’t, today, Tom we see your name.
Thomas Ralph
November 4, 1935 – April 21, 2019
It is with great sadness that we the family of the late Thomas Mercer announce his peaceful passing at the James Paton Memorial Health Care Centre on Sunday April 21, 2019 at the age of 83 years. He was predeceased by his parents Joseph & Emma Mercer of Port Albert, NL; parents-in-law Stephen & Edith Goldsack of Folkestone, England; brothers-in-law: Harvey Luff, Eric Goldsack; sisters-in-law: Mildred mercer, Margaret North and Phylis Dawney. Leaving to mourn with fond and loving memories his wife Lilian; daughter Denise Elliott (Ivan); sons: Alexandre Mercer (Lori), Steven Mercer; grandsons: Christopher Elliott (Christine), David Elliott (Eva), Andrew Mercer; granddaughters: Stephanie Mercer (Andrew), Melissa Mercer; great grandchildren: Alexander, Chelsea, Cameron, Hannah; brothers: Gerald Mercer, Robert Mercer (Doris), Reginald Mercer (Doris), Carl Mercer (Gloria), Scott Mercer (Mary); sisters: Margaret Mercer (Ted), Phylis Luff; brother-in-law Stephen Goldsack (Trish) also a large circle of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.
Born during the great depression, in a tiny out-port (Port Albert) in Notre Dame Bay, Tom, like many young men at the time, left school early and pursued employment in the woods of Central newfoundland. Then he moved on to work construction at CFB Gander, before he enlisted in the Canadian Armed Forces in the 1950’s.
His military career would last for more than twenty years, and lead him to travel the world. During these travels he would meet Lilian Goldsack in her hometown of Folkestone, England. He married Lilian in 1958, and spent the rest of his life with her.
Upon his departure from Military life, he, along with Lilian and their three children, moved back to the community of his origin, Port Albert. Throughout his time in Port Albert he was very much involved, serving on various committees and working for the betterment of his community.
While building his new home in Port Albert, he pursued and trade in auto body, and working for a GM dealer in Gander, and eventually opening his own shop in 1989 – Mercer’s Auto Body. This trade would see him through to his actual retirement in 1995.
In 2003 Tom & Lilian moved to Gander permanently. Soon after this move, he became bored with retirement and started selling raffle tickets for various organizations & charities. He became very well known, with many locals referring to him as “Ticket Tom” or “the Old Man in the Mall.” Over the last few years he took great pleasure spending time with his “Mall Family” and the many patrons who would stop by his table to chat or listen to one of his many stories and jokes.
In keeping with his wishes cremation has taken place. The family will be receiving friends at Stacey’s Funeral Home, Gander on Tuesday April 23, 2019 from 7-9 p.m. and on Wednesday April 24, 2019 between the hours of 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. Funeral service Saturday April 27th at 2:00 pm at the united Church Port Albert. IAs expressions of sympathy flowers are graciously accepted or donations may be made in Tom’s memory to a charity of one’s choice. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Stacey’s Funeral Home Gander/Carmanville and to leave a message of condolence please visit our website at www.staceysfuneralhome.ca
As you often referred to the newspaper obituary page to see if your name was there and to make a joke that it wasn’t, today, Tom we see your name.