78 | LEHIGH ALUMNI BULLETIN | IN REMEMBRANCE Eugene Mercy Jr. ’59, a philanthropist, investment banker and Lehigh trustee whose generosity impacted generations of Lehigh students, died July 16, 2024. He was 87. Mercy served on the Board of Trustees from 1983 to 2001 and as vice chairman from 1994 to 2000. He was appointed an emeritus trustee in 2002 and was also on Lehigh’s Wall Street Council. “Gene Mercy’s leadership and dedicated service to the Board of Trustees were exemplary, and his continued support to Lehigh was unwavering. He understood the transformative power of philanthropy to improve the human condition,” Vincent Forlenza, Lehigh board chair, said. Mercy supported scholarships, faculty development, programs, athletics and facilities. He established the Sue and Eugene Mercy Jr. ’59 Professorship Fund in 1981, an endowed Professorship Fund in 1987, and a President and Provost Fund for Faculty Development in 1998. Mercy also championed the Lehigh Fund, which fundraises for top university priorities. “Lehigh benefited greatly from Gene Mercy’s dedication and wise counsel while he was a trustee,” said Lehigh President Joseph Helble ’82. “He especially understood the need to keep Lehigh accessible to the best and brightest through our financial aid program, an area where he truly led by example.” Lehigh’s alumni phonathon began when Mercy and a friend decided to call their classmates from the dining room at Goldman Sachs and ask them for donations. The program was so successful it expanded to an all-alumni program called the Lehigh Liners. As the speaker at Lehigh’s 1998 mid-year Commencement ceremony, where he received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree, Mercy told graduates, “Philanthropic giving, whether it is for one’s alma mater, a hospital, church, or synagogue, is a critically important American invention and institution.” Born in South Orange, New Jersey, Mercy graduated from Lehigh in 1959 with a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration. He then served in the U.S. Army before his 25-year career with Goldman Sachs & Co., where he was elected a general partner in 1971. He later became a principal in Granite Capital International and a managing member of EMJ Development. Along with Lehigh’s Board of Trustees, Mercy served on numerous boards, including Loomis Chaffee School, Beth Israel Medical Center, Central Park Conservancy and Seeds of Peace. In recognition of his business and professional achievements and service to Lehigh, Mercy received the L-in-Life Award in 1988 and an Alumni Award in 1979. Mercy is survived by his wife, Carolyn; his children, Eugene III (Tod) and Andrew; daughter-in-law Molly; stepdaughters Emma Goergen and Amy Pilkington; three grandchildren and a step-grandchild. He was preceded in death by his wife, Sue, who passed away in 2010. A Generous Supporter Eugene Mercy Jr. ’59 served on Lehigh’s Board of Trustees for more than 20 years, including as vice chairman from 1994 to 2000. REMEMBERING Eugene Mercy Jr. ’59 he was also a boxer and captain of the rugby team. He worked as a developer for commercial and residential properties in New Jersey and North Carolina for nearly 40 years. Thomas E. Hazen ’83, Gibsonia, Pa., April 27, 2024. Hazen was a member of the Gryphon Society. He worked for GE Aerospace, Lockheed Martin and SMA. William F. Feus ’87, Fort Mill, S.C., April 29, 2024. Feus was a member of Alpha Tau Omega and the baseball team. He worked as a financial advisor, as well as serving in the ministry. His father, Frederick Feus, was a member of the Class of 1959. 1990s Keren (Kazis) Phillips ’90, Scotch Plains, N.J., July 10, 2024. An Alpha Phi member, Phillips was a doctor for adolescent pediatrics. Erick R. Torain ’91, Swedesboro, N.J., July 30, 2024. A member of the football team, Torain worked in finance before establishing the Torain Group to facilitate financing for New Jersey schools. Alexander H. Miller ’92, San Diego, Calif., July 2024. Miller was a Theta Chi member. A veteran of the Marine Corps during both Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, he retired as a lieutenant colonel. He made his career as chief engineer at General Atomics. 2000s John T. Bryner ’03, Malvern, Pa., July 28, 2024. A member of the football team and Delta Upsilon, Bryner worked as CFO at iPipeline. Adam J. Brazer ’04, Oradell, N.J., Aug. 6, 2024. Brazer was a member of Theta Chi and a certified public accountant. Graduate Edward P. Rowady M.S. ’52, Grosse Pointe, Mich., Aug. 22, 2024. A veteran of the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict, Rowady worked as a senior research metallurgist for Eaton Corporation. He held several patents. Anna Russopulos M.A. ’55, Stroud Township, Pa., July 22, 2024. Russopulos taught English and math, and was a librarian for the Stroudsburg and East Stroudsburg school districts. Morris Ojalvo Ph.D. ’60, Estes Park, Colo., May 28, 2024. A veteran of the U.S. Navy during World War II, Ojalvo’s career in faculty and research spanned many universities, including Princeton, Lehigh, Ohio State (OSU) and
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