Henry Nelson Mercier, Jr, known to friends and family as Hank, of Orlando, Florida passed away at the age of 87 in the early hours of March 26, 2026. We rejoice that he is now in the arms of his dear savior Jesus. 

Henry was born in Hartford, Connecticut to Alma Dora Lemieux and Henry Nelson Mercier, Sr. on July 28, 1938. He attended High School in the Hartford area, and after a short time serving in the US Marines and then living in both Southern California and back in the Hartford CT area, relocated to Miami, Florida in the late fall of 1958. 

He moved to Miami to pursue a relationship with Bernice (Bunny)Mae Pfau, who had relocated there with her family after graduating High School in Connecticut, where they knew each other due to Hank working with Bunny’s mother, Bernice Pfau. He married Bunny on May 24, 1959, at Kendall Presbyterian Church in Miami, FL. Last year they celebrated their 66th anniversary before Bernice’s passing in July 2025. 

In 1987, Henry received his High School diploma by attending classes via the Adult Education system of Miami Dade County Public Schools. Henry attended classes at South Florida Christian College also. 

Henry spent much of his working career in the Airline Industry, working for over 20 years for Eastern Airlines, followed by Dowdy Aerospace, and United Airlines as well as several industry subcontractor businesses. He had an unrivaled work ethic. He started as an hourly mechanical apprentice and eventually specialized in metal plating. He supervised the plating shop at Miami International Airport for Eastern, after he transitioned into management. He did the same for Dowdy Aerospace. He finished his career working for a plating shop subcontractor of United Airlines, before retiring in 2005. 

He accepted Christ in 1973, and his life changed as did his focus. He willingly shared the gospel freely to anyone he met. Gregarious and outgoing, he loved people and drew energy from all those around him. He made mission trips to the Cayman Islands and went to Cuba to share the gospel in his 80’s. He loved to play the Harmonica, becoming known as Harmonica Hank, and was a member of the worship teams at churches he belonged to, and was very involved in the local music scene in Winter Haven, FL where he and Bunny retired. 

Henry and Bernice lived in various parts of the country due to his career; Miami, FL, Sunrise, FL, Winchester, VA, Glendale, CA, Avon, IN and Winter Haven, FL. Henry was residing in Life Care Center of Orlando, when he passed away. Henry is preceded in death by his parents, and the love of his life Bernice, as well as his brothers Peter R. Mercier, and Lawrence R. Mercier. 

Henry is survived by half-brother Dennis Pehota of Davie, FL and half-sister Faith Daniel of Culpepper, VA, children Rick Mercier (Dottie) of Hollywood, FL; Bill Mercier (Silvia) of Minneola, FL; Sandra Mercier of Kannapolis, NC; sister-in-law Candy Pfau of Pensacola, FL; grandchildren Joshua Mercier (Shauna) of Sunrise, FL, Sherah Larez (Fernando) of Hollywood, FL, Jared Mercier (Melinda) of Fern Park, FL, Jason Mercier (Natasha) of Davie, FL, Josiah Johnson (Jennifer) of Richland Hills, TX, Jeremiah Johnson (Morgan) of Kannapolis, NC, Paul Johnson (Taylor) of Avon, IN, Samuel Johnson (Heather) of Jacksonville, FL, Kayla Cobb (Max) of Jacksonville, FL, as well as 19 great-grandchildren. 

We celebrate the full life lived by Henry and rejoice in his being with Jesus and being reunited in heaven with Bernice. We will always remember his sense of humor, and his love for people as evidenced by his large circle of friends. Godspeed dear Husband, Dad, Gramps, and Great Gramps. 2 Timothy 4:7-8.