Obituary of Fred A. Merica

LeRoy ~ Fred "Duke" Merica, age 84, of Hilltop Drive, passed away Saturday evening (May 12, 2018) at Strong Memorial Hospital in the presence of his loving family.

     He was born August 7, 1933 in LeRoy, a son of the late Fred and Jennie Vinci Merica.

     Duke loved his family dearly and enjoyed following his grandchildren's and great-grandchildren's sporting, musical and dance events.  He also enjoyed trips to the casino, winters in Florida, summer family trips to Maine, working in his yard, and watching his favorite teams, the Buffalo Bills, NY Yankees and UConn Women's basketball.

     He was a member of Our Lady of Mercy Parish, along with many organizations; the K of C, where he was a 4th degree member and also past Grand Knight, the LeRoy Town Board, where he served as town councilman for 26 years, the Excelsior Hook & Ladder Co. of the LeRoy Fire Dept., the Genesee Co. Democratic Committee, the LeRoy Democratic Committee, the Oatka Fish and Game Club, Sons of the American Legion and past member of the Moose and Sertoma Club.

     Duke, along with his brothers, was the owner of Merica Truck Service and East End Shell on East Main Road for many years.  He was also a Genesee County Election Inspector and a State Inspector for Batavia Downs.

     He is survived by his beloved and devoted wife of 61 years, Marjorie Kiefer Merica; his son, Fred (Penny) Merica, his daughters, Anne Marie (Bill) Fox, Jody (Greg) Rogers and Theresa (Bob) Fredrick; 11 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; brother-in-law, Gary (Mary Jane) Kiefer; sisters-in-law, Betty Merica and Chris Merica, along with many nieces, nephews and dear friends.

     In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his son, Michael James Merica, his brothers, Nick (Orpha) Merica, Joseph Merica, Angelo (Joyce) Merica and Anthony Merica, his sisters, Connie (Sab) Prospero and Rose (Joe) Caruso, brother-in-law, Sonny Kiefer, sister-in-law, Sandra McCowan and mother and father-in-law, Clinton and Ruth Kiefer.

     Family and friends may call on Wednesday from 2 - 4 and 6 - 8 at the Falcone Family Funeral & Cremation Service Inc., 8700 Lake Road, LeRoy, where the 4th degree Color Corps of the Knights of Columbus will be standing guard from 6 - 8 PM.  A Knights of Columbus prayer service will be held at 7:45 PM.  His Rite of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday at 11:00 AM at Our Lady of Mercy Parish, St. Peter's Church, 44 Lake St., LeRoy with interment to follow in St. Francis Cemetery.

     In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to LeRoy Ambulance Service or Wilmot Cancer Center.