Farming community relied on businessman

News

Roger Mercier, 56, died after being pinned under tractor-mower

Posted By Barbara Simpson — Delhi News-Record

Posted 1 month ago

Roger Mercier will be remembered fondly in the farming community, says Delhi Coun. Mike Columbus.

Mercier, the 56-year-old owner of Harmony Tractor Trailer Repair, was tragically killed outside his Arnold Sayeau Drive property on Sunday. He was cutting grass along an embankment on his property when the tractor-mower toppled over around 11:30 a.m. He was thrown from the machine that later rolled atop of him.

Mercier will be remembered for repairing the farming community's host of tractor trailers, Columbus says. Often times local producers of fruits and vegetables needed their trailers fixed quickly.

"The farming community certainly depended on him," he said.

The longtime Delhi councillor recalls Mercier building up his business with his own bare hands. As the business name suggests, he began his tractor trailer repair business on Harmony Road.

"He started from scratch and through a great deal of work, he moved into the industrial park on Arnold Sayeau Drive," Columbus recalled.

Rick Travale, who owns R.T. Respiratory in the industrial park, didn't know Mercier personally. He, however, knew that Mercier ran a busy operation.

"He was a very busy person," he remembered. "It was just good to see him move in there (industrial park) and see his business grow."

In his spare time, Mercier travelled the country roads in one of his Mopar automobiles.

Mercier is survived by his wife Sandra O'Neill of Simcoe. He is also survived by his siblings Pierrette, Louise (Tony), Guaétane (Andre), André (Judy), Lucien (Debbie), Jean-Luc and Guaétan (Margo).

Funeral service will be held in the chapel at Jason Smith Funeral Home at 11 a.m. on Wednesday.

Barbara Simpson

519-426-3528, ext. 112

bsimpson@bowesnet.com