1/29/2024 0 Comments Natalie macmaster obituary![]() This group performed throughout eastern Newfoundland and quickly made a reputation as a superb ensemble. To provide this opportunity Rendell decided to create the Baccalieu Fiddlers. ![]() In the mid-1990’s there was no opportunity for young fiddlers in Conception Bay North to engage in high-level ensemble playing. Whether to play a 200 year-old violin or learn a new jig, there was always someone playing the fiddle at Rendell’s home.įrom the years of performing with The Twilights, Rendell knew the value in making music as an ensemble. His passion for the instrument was contagious and his reputation as a master fiddler quickly spread until people were visiting from all corners of the Province. Working with these kindred spirits validated the work he was doing back at home and provided him with vision to help resurrect Newfoundland fiddle, as had been done in Cape Breton.īack home Rendell welcomed many fiddle students, both young and old. For seven years Rendell spent his summers at the Cape Breton College studying Celtic fiddling with such musicians as Buddy MacMaster, Jerry Holland, and Natalie MacMaster. Over the years Rendell has restored and repaired hundreds of violins in his Olde Violin Shoppe.Īs much as Rendell enjoyed restoring violins, his true passion was in playing the instrument. He quickly became an expert, reading everything he could find on the topic. He went about learning everything he could from the musicians he met, all the while sharing his passion for the instrument with everyone he encountered.Īlong with playing the fiddle, Rendell had always been interested in the art of violin making and restoration, so he began studying this in earnest. Moving from the role of teacher to student, he now had the time to focus on his music. In 1992, after a wonderful 30 years of teaching, Rendell retired and returned his attention to his early love for the fiddle. They delighted in their growing family and taught the importance of love, patience and integrity, making the Mercer household a place of music, laughter and love. Rendell and Gladys’s family grew in their Spaniard’s Bay home, welcoming Robert, Stephen, Andrew and Susanne. For a period, Rendell took on the role of Deputy Mayor for the Town of Spaniard’s Bay and he took great pride in his 18 years of leading the Sunday School program at Holy Redeemer Church. His passions often took him outside the school system as he took an active role in his community. Over his years in the school system he promoted the growth of music education and specifically the music of our province. He settled in Spaniard’s Bay with his family and began an incredible teaching career, the majority of which was spent as a school principal in Holy Redeemer School. Rendell graduated from Memorial University with a Bachelors of Education and later a Masters of Education (Administration). He cherished the years of music making with his bandmates. The boys quickly became a favorite live act and found themselves traveling throughout Newfoundland performing at packed dances and parties. In his teens, Rendell formed the band The Twilights, with his brother Verdon, Clayton Coombs, Eddie Reid and Albert Drover. Rendell quickly went about learning the instrument from musicians in his community. His parents, Elsie and James, recognized his love of music and purchased him his first violin from the Eaton’s catalog. Predeceased by parents James and Elsie, parents-in-law Norman and Mary Parsons, and sisters Edie (Graham), and Lizzie (Baxter).Īs a young man growing up in Upper Island Cove, Rendell (“Fox”) was surrounded by music in local dances and kitchen parties. His greatest joy was his family, including his wife of 58 years Gladys, their four children Robert (Donna), Stephen (Kim), Andrew (Nicole), and Susanne (Richard), seven grandchildren Christopher (Luanne), Morgan, Matthew, Ben, Anna, Erin, and Adam, brothers Henry (Eliza), and Verdon (Mary), sister Cavell (Robert), brothers-in-law Baxter and Walter (Joan), sisters-in-law Joan, Valma (Wayne), Loretta (David), Pam (Eric), and Paula, and lifelong friend Clayton Coombs. He married Gladys Parsons on December 27, 1963. Rendell was born on Augto James and Elsie Mercer. ![]() In this final chapter Rendell lived, as he did his entire life, with the love and support of his family and friends. Rendell Mercer passed away peacefully at his home in Spaniard’s Bay, September 18, 2022.
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