David Drury Mercer

David Drury Mercer, age 61 of Rehoboth, MA, passed away with his loving family and friends surrounding him Friday evening, November 10, 2017, at the Philip Hulitar Hospice Center in Providence. He was the beloved husband of Laura (Tobin) Mercer.

Born May 14, 1956, in Hartford, CT, he was a son of Barbara (Drury) Mercer and the late George Mercer.

David graduated from East Providence High School in 1975 and became the proprietor of the popular Anawan Mobil station in Rehoboth two years later at the age of 21. His first day of business coincided with the Great Blizzard of 1978, and he continued to operate the business successfully for the next 25 years.

David was a passionate golf player and a member of the Segregansett Country Club in Taunton, Massachusetts, where he shot a hole-in-one on August 25th, 1994. It happened in a game that he claimed was one of the worst he ever played, with the notable exception of the 17th hole where he made his hole-in-one. David stayed in the game until the end and was determined not to give up, despite a subsequent depressing 18th hole, he had his eye on the 19th hole (the bar), and it was an example of how he lived his entire life. David also loved classic cars, boats, skiing, his dogs, Silver Oak Cabernet, brown cinnamon sugar Pop Tarts, and the Boston Red Sox. His greatest love and pride, however; was reserved for his family.

In addition to his beloved wife Laura, of 26 years, David leaves two beautiful children, his son, Drury Mercer; his daughter, Lily Mercer; a brother, Richard Mercer; a sister, Sara Worthington; and several nieces and nephews.

David showed true courage and strength following a diagnosis of brain cancer in 2004, despite being given only 4-6 months to live. With the love and support of Laura, Dru, and Lily, and his countless number of friends, he stretched that time to a miraculous 13 and half years - 13 happened to be his lucky number. Through it all, he never lost his filter-free, dry sense of humor.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend calling hours Friday, Nov. 17, from 4pm until 8pm in the Rebello Funeral Home and Crematory, 901 Broadway, East Providence. His funeral service will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations to charities that David was passionate about would be greatly appreciated in his memory to the Pediatric Oncology Education fund, c/o Hasbro Children’s Hospital, PO Box H, Providence, RI 02901 or the RI Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, 186 Amaral St., Riverside, RI 02915.