Community remembers a principal who was also a friend

One of Lindsay Karcher's favorite people was hermiddle school principal Don Merce, who passed away about amonth ago in a car accident.

Hundreds of community members look on as current and former students, faculty members and administrators share fond memories of beloved Markham Place School Principal Don Merce, who passed away in a May 6 car accident, at a June 5 memorial service in his honor. The ceremony included musical performances and the dedication of the Markham Place School gymnasium in memory of the 19-year Little Silver educator. "Notmany students can say that their principalwas their friend and that they enjoyed being around them, and I consider myself fortunate," said Karcher, reading from a writing sample she had written aboutMerce before his death.

Karcher joined hundreds of other students, colleagues, parents and community members who came out to celebrate the life andmemory of the 19-year Little Silver educator at a memorial service on June 5.

"I knowI'ma greater friend, harderworker and a better person because ofMr.Merce, and I am fortunate to know him," said the Markham Place Student Council Vice President at the close of her speech. She added, "We are all fortunate to have known him."

Frank Galipo Many shed tears at the ceremony as current and former students, faculty members, administrators andMerce'swifeBobbie shared fond memories of the beloved educator.

The ceremony took place outside the school at the gazebo and included an emotional musical performance from a chorus of past and present Markham Place students, many of whom sang through watery eyes.

"We hereby officially dedicate and rename the Markham Place gymnasium the Don Merce Athletic Center. Now this will be affectionately referred to as the D MAC as Mr. Merce referred to the gym as the MAC, the Markham Athletic Center," said Interim MarkhamPlace School Principal Scott Taylor.

Among the other dedications made in memory of Merce was the planting of five dogwood trees, one for each grade at the school and one for the staff, and one Japanesemaple to representMerce and his role as a leader in the school and community.

In honor ofMerce's love for the NewYork Giants football team, the students purchased four N.Y.Giants helmets and footballs for each to sign and then display in a trophy case at the school.

Also, a letter was received from the football team, dedicating a special Giants football jersey to their number one fan to be displayed at the school as well.

"There is not an educator on this planet that Iwould put on the same level asMr.Merce," said former Markham Place School student Luke Roskowinski at the service.

Roskowinski described how Merce impacted his life not only during his time at the fifththrough eighth- grade school but beyond.

"You couldn't have known Mr. Merce and not be affected by himin someway," said former student Lucy Cabrera. "He wasn't just a principal; he was a teacher, a friend."

Both Roskowinski and Cabrera fondly remembered Merce's ever-lingering presence during lunch and the trivia questions that were sure to follow.

"When the grills come out at field day,wewill see his smiling face and cook's apron as well as smell the aroma of charred hot dogs," saidMarkhamPlace School facultymemberB. J.Olsen. "Hewas usually responsible for the charring."

Olsen and fellow faculty member Kelly Hance shared several memories of Merce from student trips to Stokes States Forest andWashington,D.C. to his vigorous enforcement of the school's dress code and supportive nature with staff and students.

"In fact, this year when one of his favorite days came around, CivilWar day, the clouds parted and the sun came out. This was a sure sign thatMr.Merce was looking down on us," said Olsen.

A candlelight vigil for Merce was held at the school on the evening of May 6, and funeral services for Merce were held at the First Methodist Church in Oakhurst on May 9 and 10.

Mercewas killed in aMay 6 car accident that occurred at 7:02 a.m. in the area of the east gate to Fort Monmouth in Oceanport, said Monmouth County First Assistant Prosecutor PeterWarshaw.

Merce, 58, of Oakhurst, was driving his Chevy Malibu, traveling northbound on OceanportAvenue, when the collision occurred, saidWarshaw.

Dennis Smentkowski, 42, of Tinton Falls, was operating a Ford Explorer, traveling in the southbound direction on Oceanport Avenue when the collision occurred, saidWarshaw.

"The collision appears to have occurred entirely in the northbound lane, and the circumstances surrounding the collision remain under investigation," saidWarshaw previously.

Hewould not comment further on any of the collision dynamics, citing the ongoing investigation into the collision.

Smentkowski retired byway of a disability from the Long Branch police force after serving from March 1986 to July 1999, according to Long Branch Police Department Public Safety Director Bill Richards.

"There's a legend in Markham Place School that Mr. Mercewas everywhere.Nowthat legend hasmoremeaning than ever," said former Little Silver Board of Education member Doug Glassmacher.

He added, "His legacy is his wonderful family and the thousands ofMarkham Place students he has touched."

One of those family members, his wife, closed the ceremony, thanking the community for the outpouring of love and support.

"To see that so many others appreciated him [Don] and what he stood for will be an eternal blessing," said Bobbie Merce as she received a standing ovation from the weepy crowd.