Sometimes the most influential people in your life are the quietest ones. Their actions speak volumes. Such is the case with Rick's Uncle Carl. However to talk about Carl without his wife, Jean, would be an incomplete picture of the man.
Carl is the youngest child of Richard (Dick) and Classie Mercer. He was born in Port aux Basques, Newfoundland eighty years ago today. Carl has an older brother Richard (Dick), and an older sister, Sylvia, all of whom are two years apart. Sylvia is my mother-in-law.
His family moved to Corner Brook when Carl was young and they lived on the west side of town. His father, Dick, worked in the accounting department of the mill. Carl went to Corner Brook Public School as did his siblings. There he met his future wife Jean Burton.
Jean was the youngest of three children born to Myra Grace (Fisher) and Walter Henry Burton. Walter was from Harbour Buffett in Placentia Bay, a community which was resettled long ago. He was a taxi driver. Myra was a granddaughter of Christopher and Janet Fisher, who owned the saw mill in Corner Brook before the paper mill was built there. Myra's parents were Janet and Josiah Fisher. However Janet died when Myra was a baby, and various family members raised the children. Myra was raised by her grandfather Fisher and his second wife, also named Janet. Later, her father, Josiah, married another woman named Janet, as was his first wife. So, two men named Fisher had four wives between them, all named Janet.
The Mercers married in 1955 and lived next door to Carl's sister Sylvia and her family on Balsam Avenue in Maple Valley, Corner Brook. Before long the Mercers moved to East Valley Road and eventually Sylvia, Melvin and Rick moved to Reid Street just behind them on the block.
Jean continued to work at the Bank of Montreal after they got married and Carl, who did a vocational training course at the mill, worked there until 1958, when there was a major lay-off at the mill. Carl then started an ESSO garage on Country Road which he operated for many years. Jean did the books.
In 1960, the Mercers' only child, Stephen, was born. Living near the Smiths, the Mercers often saw them. Stephen loved his Aunt Sylvia and any time they were together, he took out cigarettes and lined them up on the table for his mother to smoke so he could stay longer and visit with Auntie. When it was time to leave he always said, " 'Tay home Auntie," wanting to stay longer with Sylvia. The families wondered how long it would be for Stephen to find his way around the block to Sylvia's house. He did it by the age of four.
Melvin worked shifts at the paper mill which involved weekends. When Rick was young he and Sylvia often accompanied Carl, Jean and Stephen to Margaret Bowater Park or Pasadena Beach on the weekends. They both have fond memories of this time, the carefree days when the boys were young.
Rick's first job was working at the garage for Carl. In those days, you pumped gas and washed windshields for your customers. This job was one which let Rick know what it is like to work with the public in this capacity and that he did not want to do it for the rest of his life. Every young person should have such a job. Carl was a great boss and Rick learned how to deal with people watching Carl. This knowledge helped him in later life when he worked with students and their parents.
Also Rick saved for and bought a motorcycle while working at the garage, getting his license easily with Carl's help. A number of Royal Canadian Mounted Police officers came regularly to the garage for gas. Carl got to know them and asked one to test Rick on the motorcycle. Rick drove around the parking lot a few times and the officer passed him, signing the paperwork. Melvin and Sylvia worried every minute Rick spent on that thing. However, learning to save his hard earned money was a great skill that Rick acquired while working for Carl and he was so grateful for Carl's help.
Eventually Carl sold the garage and Jean started the Busy Bee craft store that she operated at the mall in Corner Brook. Carl worked alongside Jean. They work well together throughout their personal lives and in business.
When Rick and I got married, we couldn't get a place to live in the company owned mining town. As a result, we bought a mobile home which we established in the trailer court in Buchans. Melvin, my father, Sam Pretty and Carl helped Rick connect to services in the town and winterize against the Buchans weather.
The Mercers moved to Steady Brook, just outside Corner Brook, fifteen years ago. They live in the shadow of Marble Mountain and the ski slopes which attract many visitors every year. Their beautiful land and home provide a perfect place for puttering in the garden or garage for Carl, who always has a job or a project on which to work. Jean is busy with her home.
Carl is a devoted husband to Jean and loving father to Stephen. He is a very easy going person, one who is quiet, helpful, funny, meticulous with anything he does, like mechanics, carpentry or crafts. He loves and enjoys his friends and family, is loyal, and generous with his time and talent. He loves working in his garden and traveling around in his RV. Carl enjoys a good joke, a game of cards, and a glass of Old Sam with Coke. He is a man of few words, a gentleman, genuine and true. He has a grin and laugh that make everyone smile.
Jean is a talented woman in many ways. Jean is artistic, can do most crafts with ease, and does beautiful paintings. However, there is much more to Jean than her crafting ability and artistic talent. She is a devoted wife and mother, a loving person to her extended family, generous with her time and talent. Jean is expressive and knowledgeable, a great cook/baker, lover of cards and traveling in the RV, a great friend. Jean too is loyal and genuine.
Their son, Stephen lives in Rocky Harbour, Newfoundland with his wife Barbara (Kennedy). Stephen is retired from the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary and Barbara is a hair stylist. The Mercers really enjoy their time together and see each other often.
Jean and Carl are very loving towards our daughter Claire and her two babies, Sylvie and Caitlin. While they do not live nearby, everyone stays in touch via blogs and skype. Jean is adept at the computer and keeps Carl in the loop as well.
An uncle can be an important influence in any child's life. Having a wonderful Aunt who is his wife is a double blessing. We are very grateful for you both and we love you!
Happy 80th birthday, Carl... and many more.
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