In Memoriam: Fair Haven-Raised RFH ’70 Grad, Carpenter, Musician, David Mernick, 72

Fair Haven-raised Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) 1970 graduate, David Mernick, “a loving, generous husband and father,” passed away on Friday, May 9, “leaving his family and friends forever missing his joy of life and kindness to all who knew him.” He was 72.

Born on Dec. 11, 1952 in Elizabeth, David was the son of William and Edith Mernick of Cranford.

When he was a sophomore in high school, the family moved to Fair Haven. He graduated from Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) in 1970 and went on to study at Boston College and Brookdale.

David ended up becoming a Sea Bright resident, before moving to Oceanport in 2001. He was married on Aug. 20, 2003 at St. John’s-on-the-Lake, Bear Island, NH, to his high school sweetheart and soulmate, Cyndy.

“Carpentry was David’s life’s work, inspired by his grandfather Andrew Reid, a skilled woodworker. They spent countless hours together building toy boats, sailing them in the bathtub and watching Gunsmoke on the TV. His passion was boats — building them, racing them, and just poking around the local rivers and in Lake Winnipesaukee in NH. He owned many throughout his years but his favorite was a 1949 Chris Craft Sportsman named Two Belles.

“He loved all aspects of nature, especially living amongst the pines at his island home on Winnipesaukee, but it was meeting new people and telling stories with old friends over a glass of scotch which gave him the most joy.

He was a Union carpenter and millwright, before going into business by himself. A creative man, he loved woodworking, fabricating stained glass items and carving decoys, as well as playing electric and acoustic guitar.

In the 1980s, he was a member of a local band, The Shoal Brothers, singing and playing rhythm guitar. His love of music remained a strong part of his life and he wrote many songs for his beloved daughter, Liz …

“There is a hole in our hearts and we will miss his laughter and blue eyes every day.”
Loved ones of David Mernick in his obituary

David is survived by: his wife, Cynthia Halsey Mernick, of Oceanport; his daughter, Elizabeth Ann Mernick, of Oceanport; Cyndy’s children, Brooke, Amanda and Casey Blinebry; his brother and his wife, Andrew and Judith Mernick, of Monmouth Beach, and their daughter, Robyn Mernick; his father-in-law, Sandy Halsey, of Bluffton, SC; a sister-in-law and her husband, Ann and Stuart Burlingham, of Savannah, GA; a brother-in-law and his wife, David and Katie Halsey, of Edgartown, MA; many nieces, nephews, cousins and grandchildren; and all those who ever knew and loved him.

A memorial visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 20, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Thompson Memorial Home, 310 Broad St., Red Bank, NJ 07701. Memorial donations may be made in David’s name to the Lake Winnipesaukee Alliance, PO Box 1624, Meredith, NH 03253 who are dedicated to keeping his lake healthy for generations to come.

— Edited obituary prepared by family via Thompson Memorial Home

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