Stephen R. Mercer

Stephen Richard Mercer, 66, was surrounded by his family when he passed on Saturday, July 19, 2025, at Maine Medical Center in Portland, Maine.

Stephen was born on September 16, 1958, to Heber and Ruth Mercer in Derry, New Hampshire. He spent his early years in Los Angeles, California, and moved at a young age to Acton, Maine. After graduating from Sanford High School in Sanford, Maine, he moved to Naples, Florida, where he met his wife, Maria Mercer, in 1988. They married in 1989.

Stephen and Maria traveled far and wide when they were young. They embarked on many adventures across the United States, spending significant time in Las Vegas, Nevada. Stephen loved the western United States, in particular Death Valley National Park and the Grand Canyon. After Las Vegas, the two lived in Orlando, Florida, before returning to the Sanford-Springvale area. In Maine, Stephen worked at Sprague Electric and for fun, he loved snowshoeing, hunting, fishing, and canoeing near Pemaquid. While working full-time, he also attended the University of Southern Maine to earn his associate’s degree in liberal arts in 1991. He loved mathematics, science, and accounting, so much that he took additional classes in chemistry and dedicated additional hours after work and after class to tutor students in calculus.

As Stephen grew older, he began experiencing chronic medical conditions and was granted an early retirement. He then dedicated his time to raising a family and had his first son, Samuel, in 2003 and his second, Alec, in 2005. Stephen taught them to read, write, and practice mathematics at a very young age. He spent every afternoon with them, tutoring them on academic and life skills while also encouraging them to be active. To do so, he drove them wherever they needed to be, even while they were in college. He could always be found supporting his sons, attending every one of their events to cheer them on.

Stephen was a very private person and was quite frugal, humble, and caring of the people he loved; he always looked to help others before himself. He consistently supported his wife’s family in the Philippines through philanthropic donations and by providing education to those overseas. Stephen was also very hands-on. When he had free time, he could be found tending to his home. His character was that of a builder—one who had an aptitude for self-learning that extended not only to his crafts, but also to his sense of humor, enthusiasm for the New England Patriots (especially at the casino), and profound love for stargazing with his telescope.

Stephen is survived by his wife, Maria Mercer (59), and two sons, Samuel Mercer (21) and Alec Mercer (19).

A funeral service will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, August 2, at Holy Family Catholic Church (66 North Avenue, Sanford, Maine 04073), where Stephen was a member.