Frederick Mertes

Fred Mertes, formerly of Wilmington and Indian Beach, Rehoboth, DE, passed away surrounded by his loving family at his home in Annapolis, MD, on Tuesday, December 13, 2016. Born in Wilmington on July 8, 1954, Fred graduated from Salesianum High School in 1972, where he swam on the Varsity swim team. He received a B.S. in Business from the University of Delaware, an M.B.A. from Wilmington University and after further study obtained his C.P.A. He posted many successful career accomplishments, most notably Director of the University of Delaware Small Business Development Center of Kent and Sussex Counties, Deputy County Administrator and County Administrator for Sussex County, DE, Controller for Newborn Brothers of MD. At the time of his death, he was an Assistant Director in the Revenue Administration Division for the Comptroller of Maryland. From an early age, Fred enjoyed crabbing and clamming in Rehoboth Bay, but his true passion was sailing and racing competitively. He began his racing career in a broken down Sailfish, moving up to Sunfish, Lasers and Lightnings. He trailered his trusty Lightnings to regattas in Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, Florida, Texas, New York, Connecticut and Ontario, Canada, winning many notable cups and races. As a member of Rehoboth Bay Sailing Association, Fred served as the Fleet Captain of Lightning Fleet 325 and held numerous offices on the Board of Trustees including Commodore. Not long after moving to Annapolis in 1989, he advanced to racing larger boats on the Chesapeake Bay and obtained his Captain’s license. He spent many enjoyable years racing his Schock 35, Blinding Fury. Fred was preceded in death by his grandparents, Albert T. and Charlotte Mertes of Wilmington; T. Henry B. and Elsie B. Sanders of Philadelphia, PA; his father, Thomas S. Mertes and his father-in-law, Richard E. Hughes. He is survived by his beloved wife, Susan Hughes Mertes, and their loving son, Will; his mother, Victorine “Vicky” Sanders Mertes of Indian Beach; his sister, Carol Mertes-Smith (Gary) of Milton; his uncle, Tom Sanders (Deborah) of Atlanta, GA; his mother-in-law, Doris S. Hughes of Oxford, MD; his sisters-in-law, Amy Hirsch (Kevan) of Ambler, PA; Sarah Hughes of Salisbury, MD, and Abby Marsh (Steve) of Salisbury, MD; his two nieces, Keegan and Laney Marsh; and two nephews, Leighton and Campbell Marsh. A memorial service for family and friends will be held on Sunday, January 8, 2017, at 2:00 p.m., at the Chesapeake Bay Beach Club, 500 Marina Club Road, Stevensville, MD (www.baybeachclub.com). In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Maryland Chapter of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (www.lls.org/maryland), the Oyster Recovery Partnership (www.oysterrecovery.org) or Hospice of the Chesapeake (www.hospicechesapeake.org).

Frederick Mertes

July 8, 1954 - December 13, 2016