Obituary of STEPHEN S. MERCADO

Stephen S. Mercado died suddenly, Saturday morning, July 26, 2008 at Newton Memorial Hospital in Newton. He was 57. Born and raised in Ilo Ilo City, the Philippines, he came to the United States in 1972. He had lived in Parsippany for many years before moving to Sparta 25 years ago. Mr. Mercado earned his BA in Medical Technology from the University of St. Augustin in Ilo Ilo City, Philippines, and his MA in Public Administration from Seton Hall University in South Orange. He had worked in medical technology with various hospitals in northern New Jersey, beginning as a staff technician and working his way up to director of the laboratory. He was currently employed as a medical technologist with Hudson Valley Hospital in Cortlandt Manor, NY. An adjunct professor and lecturer at UMDNJ, Mr. Mercado was also the founder of the Society of Immunohematology, a continuing education service in northern NJ and he had directed state conferences in blood-banking. He was active in the Seton Hall Alumni Assocation, and was honored as an Outstanding Alumnus by the Seton Hall Univesity Center for Public Service. An avid photographer and sportsman, he had been active with several photography clubs, and was a certified scuba diver. He was also a member of Blessed Kateri Tekawitha R.C. Parish in Sparta where he had been a eucharistic minister. Survivors include his children, David K. Mercado of Sparta and Lauren K. Mercado of Stanhope; his parents, Hamplish Sr. and Florentina G. (nee Supen) Mercado of Lake Hiawatha; seven siblings, Maria Eva M. Patwa of Woodbury, NY, Hamplish S. Mercado Jr. of Lake Hiawatha, Hildreth M. Alamo of Lake Hiawatha, Arthur S. Mercado of Ilo Ilo City Philippines, Juliana M. Banzon of Lake Hiawatha, Mary Jane M. Arcinas of Lake Hiawatha, and James S. Mercado of Wharton, and many nieces and nephews.