November 17th, 1947 ~ October 4th, 2017

Kenneth Charles Mermer passed away at The Community Hospice House in Merrimack, NH on October 4, 2017 after a lengthy battle with complications of diabetes at the age of 69.
Kenneth was predeceased by his parents Ruth (Markil) Mermer and Gerald I Mermer and a brother Peter Mermer.
He is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Louise Burque Mermer. They were married at the Cathedral of the Pines in Rindge NH July 4, 1970.
He is lovingly remembered by children Sarah, Jonathan, & Adam Mermer, a sister Bonita Mermer Martinez, daughter-in-law Ginger (Duesenberry) Mermer, grandchildren Julian and Phoebe Mermer, brother and sister-in-law Richard and Linda (Lombardi) Burque, a nephew Andrew Burque his wife Megan and nieces Emily Burque, Molly Burque and Rebeca Martinez.
Ken was born in Brooklyn, NY moving at a young age to Wantagh, LI, NY He graduated from Wantagh High School in 1965. Ken received a BS in Business Administration and Organizational Development from Northeastern University in 1970 and an MBA from Suffolk University in 1978.
Ken had an extensive career in Health Care Management and Education. As Administrator of the Nevins Home in Methuen he originated the first assisted living facility in Massachusetts and developed an award-winning concept of Adult day care and Child day care in the same building with centralized services. He later was CEO of the Recuperative Center in Roslindale, MA, a kosher Geriatric Rehab facility.
Ken taught Health Care Administration at both the undergraduate and graduate levels at Northeastern University, Lesley University, Merrimack College, and Rivier University.
He was active in youth sports coaching soccer and basketball and initiating development of a travel youth basketball league for boys and girls.
In semi-retirement he took on the management and development of Burque Jewelers, a long-standing family business. Through Burque Jewelers he sponsored the Burque Cup an annual soccer tournament between Bishop Guertin and Nashua High.
Before his illness Ken was active professionally and in the community. He was appointed to the Board of Registration of Nursing Home Administrators in Massachusetts by four consecutive governors. He received a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Fellowship for Health Care Management. He was a life member of Rotary International and was a Paul Harris Fellow.
Ken had a full life enjoying his family, friends and travel. He was a man of exceptional qualities too numerous to mention but for those who were fortunate to have known him they will agree that he was a truly unique man.
SERVICES: Calling hours will be at Davis Funeral Home 1 Lock St. Wednesday October11 from 5-7 pm followed by a service officiated by Rabbi Joshua Segal. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Ken’s memory to Home Health and Hospice, Marguerite’s Place, or a charity of your choice