'Courage, Strength, Love' Are Some Words People Say That Defined This Mendham Man

MENDHAM, NJ — Family and friends of a longtime Mendham resident are remembering him for his many lifetime accolades and legacy.

Ernest F. Del Guercio passed away on Sept. 6, from complications that emerged from a virus he had battled beginning in 2019.

Born in Newark on Sept. 11, 1937 to Ernest Del Guercio and Josephine De Stefano Del Guercio, he has been described as a “renaissance man,” because of his many talents in building, athletics, art and as an educator.

A graduate of what was then called Montclair State College, Del Guercio developed the art program as a teacher at Maplewood’s Columbia High School, later working as the district of Maplewood and South Orange’s Director of Related Arts K-12, according to his obituary.

In 1972, he moved with his family to Mendham, where he became known as a “generous community leader,” within Mendham and throughout the state.

Along with earning several master’s degrees, he also founded Appraisal Systems Incorporated, an appraisal company in the real estate industry.

He was predeceased by his wife Dorothy, who he was married to for six decades and who was known as his “soulmate and friend since the age of 12.” His three children Laurie Kirkegaard, Kathleen Kececi, and Ernest F. Del Guercio, Jr., their spouses and other family members survive him.

A visitation event in his memory is planned at Bailey Funeral Home, 8 Hilltop Road in Mendham, on Friday, Sept. 17, from noon to 4 p.m.

For his full obituary and details about the visitation event, click here.

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