Benjamin Fredrick Mercer, Ojai's oldest citrus rancher, passed away peacefully late Wednesday night Dec. 26, 2007, after celebrating a joyous Christmas day with his entire family.
Ben was born Sept. 10, 1907, at home to Madge Crampton and Herbert Mercer in Ventura, when Ventura was in its infancy. He attended Plaza School (the present Cabrillo Middle School) and graduated from Ventura High School in 1925, lettering in football and basketball. He left Ventura to attend St. Mary's Moraga on a football scholarship, where he roomed with Fred Stennett and Bill Clarke. However, Ben's passion for ranching led him back to Ojai and to the fulfillment of his dream of being his own boss.
Ben was a pioneer in spirit and was fiercely independent. Even into his late 90s, despite his daughters' objections, he continued to operate his ATV, his spray rig and tractor. The only one who ever tamed him was a charming, feisty Irishwoman from Mayo, Madge Quinn, who was his beloved wife for 42 years. After her death in 1994, Ben, blessed with a remarkable resilience, accepted her death with grm ace but constantly wished she was here to see their wonderful grandchildren.
When Ben celebrated his 100th birthday this past September, he was the oldest citrus rancher in the valley. During his years as a rancher, he was not only involved on a day-to-day basis but also in a governing capacity as a past member of the board of directors for Ojai Orange Association and Ojai Tapo Association. Ben also dabbled in real estate development in the 1950s when he developed the present Mercer Avenue in Ojai.
Most importantly, Ben leaves a legacy of love based on a life lived with real character and a sense of decency that is rarely seen these days. It was an honor to have him as a father and grandfather, and his example will be cherished by his family.
Ben is survived by his daughters, Mary Anne, Margie and Pat and their respective husbands, Oscar Kaas, Bernie Vanderfin and Bob Norris and, of course, his precious grandchildren.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Ray Sims for his exceptional care and to Ben's caregivers Anita, Connie, Denyce and Lupe, who made his last months comfortable in his own home.
Rosary will be recited at 9:30 a.m. Monday, Dec. 31, with Mass of the resurrection celebrated at 10 a.m., in the chapel at St. Joseph's Convalescent Home in Ojai. Interment will be at the Mercer's family plot at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park, Ventura.
The family requests, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to St. Joseph's in Ben's name.
Ben was entrusted to the care of the family-owned Joseph P. Reardon Funeral Home, 757 E. Main St., Ventura; phone 805-643-8623.
Published in the Ventura County Star on 12/30/2007.
Ben was born Sept. 10, 1907, at home to Madge Crampton and Herbert Mercer in Ventura, when Ventura was in its infancy. He attended Plaza School (the present Cabrillo Middle School) and graduated from Ventura High School in 1925, lettering in football and basketball. He left Ventura to attend St. Mary's Moraga on a football scholarship, where he roomed with Fred Stennett and Bill Clarke. However, Ben's passion for ranching led him back to Ojai and to the fulfillment of his dream of being his own boss.
Ben was a pioneer in spirit and was fiercely independent. Even into his late 90s, despite his daughters' objections, he continued to operate his ATV, his spray rig and tractor. The only one who ever tamed him was a charming, feisty Irishwoman from Mayo, Madge Quinn, who was his beloved wife for 42 years. After her death in 1994, Ben, blessed with a remarkable resilience, accepted her death with grm ace but constantly wished she was here to see their wonderful grandchildren.
When Ben celebrated his 100th birthday this past September, he was the oldest citrus rancher in the valley. During his years as a rancher, he was not only involved on a day-to-day basis but also in a governing capacity as a past member of the board of directors for Ojai Orange Association and Ojai Tapo Association. Ben also dabbled in real estate development in the 1950s when he developed the present Mercer Avenue in Ojai.
Most importantly, Ben leaves a legacy of love based on a life lived with real character and a sense of decency that is rarely seen these days. It was an honor to have him as a father and grandfather, and his example will be cherished by his family.
Ben is survived by his daughters, Mary Anne, Margie and Pat and their respective husbands, Oscar Kaas, Bernie Vanderfin and Bob Norris and, of course, his precious grandchildren.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Ray Sims for his exceptional care and to Ben's caregivers Anita, Connie, Denyce and Lupe, who made his last months comfortable in his own home.
Rosary will be recited at 9:30 a.m. Monday, Dec. 31, with Mass of the resurrection celebrated at 10 a.m., in the chapel at St. Joseph's Convalescent Home in Ojai. Interment will be at the Mercer's family plot at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park, Ventura.
The family requests, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to St. Joseph's in Ben's name.
Ben was entrusted to the care of the family-owned Joseph P. Reardon Funeral Home, 757 E. Main St., Ventura; phone 805-643-8623.
Published in the Ventura County Star on 12/30/2007.
Benjamin Fredrick Mercer, Ojai's oldest citrus rancher, passed away peacefully late Wednesday night Dec. 26, 2007, after celebrating a joyous Christmas day with his entire family.
Ben was born Sept. 10, 1907, at home to Madge Crampton and Herbert Mercer in Ventura, when Ventura was in its infancy. He attended Plaza School (the present Cabrillo Middle School) and graduated from Ventura High School in 1925, lettering in football and basketball. He left Ventura to attend St. Mary's Moraga on a football scholarship, where he roomed with Fred Stennett and Bill Clarke. However, Ben's passion for ranching led him back to Ojai and to the fulfillment of his dream of being his own boss.
Ben was a pioneer in spirit and was fiercely independent. Even into his late 90s, despite his daughters' objections, he continued to operate his ATV, his spray rig and tractor. The only one who ever tamed him was a charming, feisty Irishwoman from Mayo, Madge Quinn, who was his beloved wife for 42 years. After her death in 1994, Ben, blessed with a remarkable resilience, accepted her death with grm ace but constantly wished she was here to see their wonderful grandchildren.
When Ben celebrated his 100th birthday this past September, he was the oldest citrus rancher in the valley. During his years as a rancher, he was not only involved on a day-to-day basis but also in a governing capacity as a past member of the board of directors for Ojai Orange Association and Ojai Tapo Association. Ben also dabbled in real estate development in the 1950s when he developed the present Mercer Avenue in Ojai.
Most importantly, Ben leaves a legacy of love based on a life lived with real character and a sense of decency that is rarely seen these days. It was an honor to have him as a father and grandfather, and his example will be cherished by his family.
Ben is survived by his daughters, Mary Anne, Margie and Pat and their respective husbands, Oscar Kaas, Bernie Vanderfin and Bob Norris and, of course, his precious grandchildren.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Ray Sims for his exceptional care and to Ben's caregivers Anita, Connie, Denyce and Lupe, who made his last months comfortable in his own home.
Rosary will be recited at 9:30 a.m. Monday, Dec. 31, with Mass of the resurrection celebrated at 10 a.m., in the chapel at St. Joseph's Convalescent Home in Ojai. Interment will be at the Mercer's family plot at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park, Ventura.
The family requests, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to St. Joseph's in Ben's name.
Ben was entrusted to the care of the family-owned Joseph P. Reardon Funeral Home, 757 E. Main St., Ventura; phone 805-643-8623.
Published in the Ventura County Star on 12/30/2007.
Ben was born Sept. 10, 1907, at home to Madge Crampton and Herbert Mercer in Ventura, when Ventura was in its infancy. He attended Plaza School (the present Cabrillo Middle School) and graduated from Ventura High School in 1925, lettering in football and basketball. He left Ventura to attend St. Mary's Moraga on a football scholarship, where he roomed with Fred Stennett and Bill Clarke. However, Ben's passion for ranching led him back to Ojai and to the fulfillment of his dream of being his own boss.
Ben was a pioneer in spirit and was fiercely independent. Even into his late 90s, despite his daughters' objections, he continued to operate his ATV, his spray rig and tractor. The only one who ever tamed him was a charming, feisty Irishwoman from Mayo, Madge Quinn, who was his beloved wife for 42 years. After her death in 1994, Ben, blessed with a remarkable resilience, accepted her death with grm ace but constantly wished she was here to see their wonderful grandchildren.
When Ben celebrated his 100th birthday this past September, he was the oldest citrus rancher in the valley. During his years as a rancher, he was not only involved on a day-to-day basis but also in a governing capacity as a past member of the board of directors for Ojai Orange Association and Ojai Tapo Association. Ben also dabbled in real estate development in the 1950s when he developed the present Mercer Avenue in Ojai.
Most importantly, Ben leaves a legacy of love based on a life lived with real character and a sense of decency that is rarely seen these days. It was an honor to have him as a father and grandfather, and his example will be cherished by his family.
Ben is survived by his daughters, Mary Anne, Margie and Pat and their respective husbands, Oscar Kaas, Bernie Vanderfin and Bob Norris and, of course, his precious grandchildren.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Ray Sims for his exceptional care and to Ben's caregivers Anita, Connie, Denyce and Lupe, who made his last months comfortable in his own home.
Rosary will be recited at 9:30 a.m. Monday, Dec. 31, with Mass of the resurrection celebrated at 10 a.m., in the chapel at St. Joseph's Convalescent Home in Ojai. Interment will be at the Mercer's family plot at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park, Ventura.
The family requests, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to St. Joseph's in Ben's name.
Ben was entrusted to the care of the family-owned Joseph P. Reardon Funeral Home, 757 E. Main St., Ventura; phone 805-643-8623.
Published in the Ventura County Star on 12/30/2007.
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