Michael W. Mercier, 79, of Merrimack, a longtime restaurateur and caterer, died Tuesday morning, December 13, 2011 at Greenbriar Terrace Healthcare in Nashua, after a period of declining health.

A son of the late Philip J. and Mildred (Kerouac) Mercier, he was born in Munising, Michigan on January 12, 1932. Mike grew up in Nashua and was educated local schools. An Army veteran, Mr. Mercier served as a Sergeant during the Korean War from January 1953 to December 1954. He was awarded the Korean Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal and United Nations Service Medal.

Mr. Mercier was employed with Nashua Corporation for several years until 1964 when he began his career in the restaurant business on Long Island, New York. He moved to Merrimack in 1969 and founded Mike’s Restaurant and later changed the name to Michael’s Restaurant and Catering that he owned and operated from 1970 to 1987. Mike later owned the IHOP (International House of Pancakes) on Main Street in Nashua until 1998.

Mike held memberships in the Veterans of Foreign Wars and Nashua Lodge #720 Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks. He had been a volunteer with the Police Athletic League of Nashua. At a young age, Mike trained to be an amateur boxer and won the Golden Gloves of NH 5 times between 1950 and 1960. He began coaching at the PAL in Nashua, and had trained many champions thru the years. He later coached boxers at the Inner-Strength Martial Arts Academy in Merrimack, NH with Sensei Verne.

One of nine children, Mike was predeceased by three brothers, Philip, Francis and Norbert Mercier; and his sister, Kathryn Styles.

Members of his family include his wife, Barbara (Zagwyn) Mercier of Merrimack; two sons and their wives, Richard and Lisa Mercier of Chester, NH and Thomas and Sharon Mercier of Merrimack; three step-children and their spouses, Steven and Cheryl Slusarczyk of Uniontown, Ohio, David and Norma Slusarczyk of Concord, NH and Marie and Robert Gibeley of Merrimack; eight grandchildren, Nathan, Ryan and Richard J.B. Mercier, and Laura, Ashleigh, Megan, Allison and Kelsey; a great-granddaughter, Isis; four brothers, Leonard Mercier of Nashua, Rollain “Rolly” Mercier of Maine, Jim Mercier of Florida and Eugene Mercier of Nashua; also many nieces, nephews and cousins.

SERVICES: Following cremation, family and friends are invited to call at the FARWELL FUNERAL HOME, 18 Lock Street, Nashua on Saturday, January 7, 2012 from 1 to 3 p.m. A memorial service will follow at 3 o’clock. Interment will be private. Donations may be made in his memory to the PAL Youth Boxing League, 52 Ash Street, Nashua, NH 03060 or to Alzheimer’s Disease Research c/o Developmental Office, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, One Medical Center Drive, Lebanon, NH 03756. Arrangements are in the care of the FARWELL FUNERAL SERVICE. (603) 882-0591. (www.farwellfuneral.com)