Ralph P. Mercier "Rambo" LOWELL Ralph P. Mercier, 69, well-known Lowell resident, died Wednesday, Nov. 14, at his home, after a long courageous battle with emphysema. He was the husband of former Mayor and present City Councilor, Rita M. Mercier. A son of the late Romeo and Esther (Burpee) Mercier, he was born Oct. 20, 1938, in Manchester, NH, and educated in that area. A resident of Royal Street until 1999, he currently made his home in Belvidere, and was a communicant of St. Patrick's Church, where he had exchanged Wedding Vows with Rita 41 years ago. He was a former President of Local #39, Painters and Allied Trade Union for 21 years working throughout the New England Area, specializing in painting water and chemical towers and tanks. He worked for C.E.T.A. as a deleader. He later worked for the Lowell Housing Authority until illness forced his retirement. He loved his family, and enjoyed their trips to the ocean and Lake Wentworth in Wolfeboro, NH. Ralph enjoyed politics and worked on the campaigns of Senator Henry "Scoop" Jackson, Senator Ted Kennedy, and former City Councilor Bobby Kennedy. He was most proud of being Campaign Manager for his wife Rita throughout the years and was her number one supporter. He also was an avid presidential campaign button collector, and enjoyed adding new buttons and showing off the older ones, as well as being the creator of numerous soups and chowders. In addition to his wife, Rita, he is survived by four children, David R. Mercier and his wife, Holly, Douglas R. Mercier and his wife, Jennifer, Kellie I. Dube and her husband, Brian, and Kristine R. Lutkus and her husband, Gerald; seven grandchildren, Jacklyn, Brykel, Tyler, Kyle, Brandan, Dylan, and Corey; a sister, Annette Warren and her husband, James; a brother, George J. Mercier; and several nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. He was also the brother of the late Richard N. Mercier, the late Phyllis Dubey, and the late Martha Bragnowski. YOU ARE INVITED TO HIS CALLING HOURS 2 UNTIL 5 AND 6 UNTIL 8 P.M. ON FRIDAY. ON SATURDAY, HIS FUNERAL WILL BEGIN AT 9 A.M. AT THE MCDONOUGH FUNERAL HOME, 14 HIGHLAND STREET, LOWELL (978 OR 800) 458-6816. HIS FUNERAL MASS WILL BE OFFERED AT ST. PATRICK'S CHURCH AT 10 A.M. BURIAL IN ST. JOSEPH CEMETERY. MEMORIALS IN HIS NAME TO AMERICAN LUNG ASSOC., 460 TOTTEN POND RD., SUITE 400, WALTHAM MA 02451. E-CONDOLENCE SITE WWW.MCDONOUGHFUNERALHOME.COM