Basil Devere Merritt

Was born on April 25, 1960 in Brooklyn, New York to parents Grafton C. Merritt and Corlita P. Merritt. At the age of five, Basil began his academic career attending Public School 134, Public School 238 Susan B. Anthony School, August Martin High School and later on attended the Academy of Aeronautic and TCI College of Technology, eventually graduating with a degree in Electronics. As a youth, Basil was an altar boy and sang in the choir (Gospel Singers) at St. Pascal Baylon Catholic Church. Basil was also an active member of the Police Athletic League. It was there he became a Sea Cadet and worked as a counselor during the summer. It was apparent from a very young age that Basil was a peace maker with a loving and caring heart, always extremely nurturing and willing to share whatever he had with others.

It was quite noticeable that Basil had developed a great skill for using his hands; expressing his passion through fixing and repairing, gardening, carpentry and electronics. He enjoyed cooking, fishing, kayaking, camping, hiking, comedy, and music, especially Jazz. He was an enthusiastic fan of sports, his favorite being football. But what Basil cherished most was spending time with his family.

On June 21, 1992, Basil married Debbie Gonzalez and soon relocated to Weeki Wachee, Florida, where they eventually raised two wonderful children, Jasmine 22, and Brandon 17, with Lucy Rivera, his Mother-in-Law. He worked for Ricoh USA for more than 30 years – first in New York City, and later in Tampa, Florida – as a Field Service Technician, servicing various machines more specifically, fax machines and copiers.

Basil was known for his loving spirit and was not afraid to speak whatever was in his heart. Basil had a great passion for God. Even in the midst of his affliction he could be seen and heard praying, studying the bible with his mother and wife Debbie. He was known for telling others “It’s in Gods Hands”. His favorite daily scripture was Psalm 121, a psalm of King David. “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.

On the afternoon of October 3, 2018, Basil was called to his eternal rest with the Lord. Basil now goes on to glory to be reunited with his father Grafton, sister Corlita, two nieces Jennifer Cornwall and Joy Ann Tull, and his grandparents. He leaves his family to cherish his memories - Wife, Debbie; Children, Jasmine and Brandon; Mother-in-Law, Lucy; Mother, Corlita; Sisters, Coral, Joy, Robin, Monique; Brothers, Fred and Dale, a host of Aunts, Uncles, Nieces, Nephews, Cousins, In-Laws, and loving pet, Maggie.

His smile was contagious, he had laughter that would tickle your soul… Because of his loving friendship, we are all better people, a little kinder and our hearts just a little bigger.