Mervin Dupree was born on August 4th, 1964 in New York. He was born with a condition called Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita. It is a rare congenital disorder that is characterized by multiple joint contractures at birth. Mervin’s legs were crossed and malformed at birth due to his disorder.
Since birth, Mervin lived in a foster home in Queens, New York separated from his biological family. Mervin has two biological brothers named Melvin and Marvin Dupree. Mervin had prosthetic legs and walked with a cane/crutch during his formative years; he attended Francis Lewis High School where he led a normal life socializing with peers. Mervin was a very active individual throughout life; a wheelchair never limited him from taking the bus to different places and sports activities such as wheelchair basketball and bowling. Mervin was actively involved in a group called The Monday Morning Project. Mervin worked for competitive wages at a Ladacin Network, a former affiliate of Monmouth County Cerebral Palsy; there he underwent training to obtain a food handlers permit and worked as a cook. Mervin also loved to DJ at the Ladacin for special functions.
Unfortunately, Mervin suffered a stroke on December 14, 2006. The stroke was severe, and he had to move into a nursing home where his active life was placed on hold. On December 10, 2007, Mervin moved into Universal’s 168 East Cedar Street group home in Livingston, NJ in an effort to regain his former active lifestyle. Mervin then moved to Universal’s Long Branch group home, to be close to his old neighborhood, foster brother and friends. He had a stroke in 2011 while living at 73A Dudley St (Universal), Long Branch.
On Saturday, January 24, 2026 Mervin transitioned from this life to his heavenly reward. He will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved him.
