Stanley Howard Mersand, 70, passed away peacefully on the evening of Friday, May 26, at Regional Hospice in Danbury, Connecticut.
Stan was a lifelong political enthusiast, often involved with the Village of Pawling at various levels. His last position was on the Village Board, and as Deputy Mayor. He also ran the Thomas E. Dewey Center in Pawling, dedicated to the life and career of his political mentor, and served as Dutchess County Historian for many years.
Stan spent over 30 years as a history teacher at Carmel High School in Carmel, NY before retiring and teaching at various area colleges. As the titular head of “The Heart Gang” – a band of patients from the Healthquest Heart Center in Poughkeepsie – Stan loved to plan social events for the group.
As a young man, Stan proudly served in the United States Army as a forward observer and intelligence analyst in Vietnam. The second son of Julius (d.) and Hilda Mersand (nee Liffland) (d.) of Pawling, Stan was predeceased by his sister Jennise, of Burbank, California and his beloved dogs King, Bootsie, Captain, Tootsie, Mollie, and Boo. He is survived by his wife, Christine (nee Baresich), his son Michael, daughter Rebecca, and dog Scout, all of Pawling, his brother Barry, nephew Alex, and niece Jenny, of Poughquag, Aunt Mary “Dolly” Liffland of Pawling, and numerous cousins throughout the area.
He is finally at rest…which would really annoy him, since he always liked to be busy.
In accordance with his wishes, a memorial party in honor of his life will be held by the family in the near future. In lieu of flowers, he wished that donations be made to the Hudson Valley SPCA, Disabled American Veterans, The American Legion, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Memorial calling hours will be held Saturday, June 10, 2017 from 10 AM -12 PM at the Horn & Thomes, Inc. Funeral Home, 83 East Main Street, Pawling, NY.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Horn & Thomes, Inc. Funeral Home, 83 East Main Street, Pawling, NY. To leave an online condolence, please visitwww.hornandthomesfuneralhome.com.
