Obituary

Major Carlo Mercado
CMA 1967/68/69
(November 4, 1932 - May 12, 2023)

Retired Army Major Carlos Mercado Carmoega

Our loving father, Pop, PopPop, Uncle and Friend, Carlos Mercado, passed on peacefully, Friday, May 12, 2023 surrounded by family.

Born November 4, 1932, in San Juan, Puerto Rico, raised in nearby San Turce, he graduated from Central HS and attended University of Puerto Rico (ROTC) studying Business Administration. Having joined the National Guard when he was 17, he completed Basic Training and joined the Army as an enlisted man in 1954.

A warrior and a patriot, Carlos is a veteran of the Korean and Vietnam Wars where he earned several medals including the Soldiers Medal for Heroism, the Bronze Star (4 times), National Defense Service Medal, Vietnamese Gallantry Cross with Silver Star for combat and numerous others. He graduated first in class from Officers Candidate School in Fort Benning, GA, was the professor of military science at Carolina Military Academy in Maxton, NC and master parachutist with the 101st and 82nd Airborne divisions.

He retired from the Army in December 1974. In the late 70's, he did not want a 9 to 5 job so he became an insurance agent and sales manager for Acacia Mutual Life for several years. In the late 80's, he changed directions and became a real estate agent with Long and Foster in Frederick, MD. He volunteered for Hospice, The Counseling Center, and Frederick Memorial Hospital (1,900 hrs over nine years) to name a few. He was an active member AMVETS post 9 in Middletown and a life member of the Frederick, MD VFW.

Carlos loved playing golf with his VFW and PGA (Poor Golfers Association) buddies. He had a gift when it came to joke telling on and off the course. He loved watching his grandchildren play sports and he loved sailing, fishing, diving, skiing, travelling, and visiting friends in Sanibel, FL; Rincon, PR; Lake Placid, NY; St. Michaels, MD; San Diego, CA and Seattle, WA. It wasn't uncommon to see him reading 3 novels at a time and completing the crossword puzzle every morning. Carlos touched so many lives because he was someone you could count on to help you no matter what. He was a great listener and always gave noble advice. He loved hosting family gatherings for birthdays, holidays and special celebrations with his late wife, Jane.

Carlos was predeceased by his loving wife of 35 years, Jane F. Mercado, and stepson Michael Gross. He is survived by his daughter, Trish (Joe) Jacobi, and son, Carlos (Sylvia) Mercado; Step Children: Martin (Andrea) Gross, Susie (Kenny) Brunner and grandchildren: Tyler and Ciara Schuman, Terez Saldana, Piper, Imie and Rowan Gross, Jonathon (Kim) Glick, Michael (Audra) Benjamin, Thomas (Selene) Benjamin, Mathew (Timmi) Benjamin, Coco, and his first wife Cathy Mercado. He will be missed by dear friends Traci Potts, Dee McFarland, Pati Redmond, Tru Kong Do and his family in Yorba Linda, CA. He is also survived by his great grandchildren, nieces and nephews, friends and extended family members who loved him.

The family will gather at Arlington Cemetery where Retired Major Carlos Mercado will be inurned with military funeral honors and laid to rest with his wife, Jane Mercado.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to Frederick Hospice. Carlos Mercado Carmoega