Richard E. “Merch” Merchant
Richard E. “Merch” Merchant of Chester, Pa. passed away peacefully on January 12, 2021 at the age of 76.
He is survived by his brothers Glenn and Robert Merchant, his stepmother Dorothy Merchant, niece Arlene (Michael) Miniconzi-Lunness, nephews Joseph and Richard Miniconzi and Matthew Merchant. Great nephew Joseph Miniconzi III and great nieces Faith and Neriah Merchant. Plus cousins. He is predeceased by his parents Lillian Pierce and Richard Merchant Jr. and his sister Marilyn A. Miniconzi.
Rich found his passion in baseball at an early age. He first played for the Chester Materials as a kid. He was a St. James Alum and a Army Veteran. He spent a lot of time on his family’s farm, learning the business and developing his love of horse racing. He enjoyed both owning and racing horses and betting on the “winners”.
Rich worked and retired from Sunoco and Century 21 as a residential and commercial real estate agent. Through-out his life he was an avid sports coach and mentor to many. Some teams include: St. James High School, Williamson Trade School, Haab’s Sunoco, Voights/Babe Ruth League, Assistant Coach for Neumann University and numerous others. In 1997 he was inducted into the Delaware County Athletes Hall of Fame.
Family and friends are invited to attend a viewing on Saturday January 30th, 1-3pm at the Corinthian Yacht Club, 300 2nd St. Essington Pa.
State Mandated social distancing will be observed. Face Masks are required.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Merchs honor to the Sports Legends of Delaware County Museum Jim Vankoski. Checks can be made payable to: Sports Legends of Delaware County and mailed to: 14 Morgan Rd. Aston Pa. 19014. Electronic donations may be made via Venmo @Josh-12-Bower.
Donations will be used to create an award in honor of “Coach Merch” through the Joseph J. Barrett Memorial Baseball Game and/or the Delco Baseball League that will be recognized annually. In addition, an annual scholarship will be awarded to a senior baseball player in Merch’s memory.