David Paul Mercadante, age 57, passed away peacefully on December 12, surrounded by his loving family. Born August 5, 1968, in New Jersey, he grew up in Atlantic Highlands on the northern Jersey Shore, graduating from Christian Brothers Academy (Class of 1986) before heading to Loyola College (now University) in Baltimore Maryland to study Biology (Class of 1990). He then continued his education at Johns Hopkins University, receiving a Masters in Environmental Engineering (1995) and then last year completed his Masters of Business Administration, Data Analytics and Digital Technology at Loyola University in Baltimore. In addition to his MBA and SAS in Business Intelligence and Analytics, Dave also received his Project Management (PMI) Certification and was a Licensed Professional Engineer.

David was the son of the late Paul Frank Mercadante and Patricia Lee Mercadante (née Zurey) and brother to Dawn. He grew into a man of strength and conviction, qualities that guided both his personal life and his career as an environmental engineer—a profession that reflected his care for the world and the people in it. Working for EA Engineering, Science, and Technology Inc. for the last 30+ years, he had the opportunity to travel to many unique locations, including spending many years living on the island of Guam, which led him to take a trip to Australia to meet his future wife.

Above all else, David was a devoted husband and father. He is survived by his loving wife, Misao Mercadante (née Kawamoto), and their daughters, Tira, Maya, and Ella Mercadante, who were the center of his universe. David's love for his girls was boundless and evident in everything he did—from his unwavering dedication to his children and the local community which was evident in his time spent organizing and fundraising for the Saint Ursula's Fathers Club, showing up to every single one of Tira's gymnastics competitions and Maya and Ella's basketball games, even spending several years as a coach at Saint Ursula's, to proudly and amusingly to all who watched, participating in Notre Dame Prep's Father's Follies for Class of 2020, 2023, and 2026, being a Dad was meant for Dave. On a deeper level, each of his daughters made their father proud – he was in awe of how Tira successfully took on the challenge of getting her B.A. in 4 years, taking classes during all winter and summer breaks, even after the complications that transferring colleges brings at that academic level. He beamed with pride at Maya's acceptance into the United States Naval Academy, and was very excited about the multiple offers that Ella received to play basketball at the college level, ultimately deciding to head off to Case Western this upcoming fall.

David was fiercely loyal to his friends, treasuring long-standing friendships and shared laughter. He was known for his "mediocre at best" basketball abilities, paired with an absolute and unwavering refusal to pass the ball to an open teammate—a trait that became legendary among those who played with him and loved him anyway.

Some of David's most treasured memories were made at the Zurey family cabin in Highland Lakes, New Jersey, where family and friends gathered year after year for swimming, boating and barbecues. Stories from those days are many, including the ongoing saga of the infamous unfinished lakefront rock wall—a project that, much like David's sense of humor, lives on in memory and legend.

Friends may call at the family owned Ruck Towson Funeral Home, Inc., 1050 York Rd. (beltway exit 26), on Sunday, December 21st, from 4 to 8 PM.  A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Ursula Catholic Church, 8801 Harford Rd., Parkville, MD 21234, on Monday, December 22nd, at 11 AM.  Interment private. The Funeral Mass program is available in the photo gallery. Livestream information can be found at: https://www.facebook.com/StUrsulaParkville or https://www.stursulaparish.org/

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his name to St. Ursula Basketball Program, St. Ursula Father's Club, or to Notre Dame Preparatory School Basketball Program, 815 Hampton Lane, Towson, MD 21286. www.givecampus.com/s/8b6zcj please select "other" and in the gift notes write "NDP Basketball Program".