Bonny Harry Merritt, Jr.

He was born in Carr’s Fork, Kentucky. He spent most of his life in Norwood, Ohio where he graduated from High School, attended two years of college, joined the Navy during WWII, and became a Naval pilot on the carrier the USS Cowpens CVL 25 (nicknamed the “Mighty Moo”). In 1945, Harry left the Navy, married his sweetheart, Mary Sue Collins, and began a new life in Louisiana.

After living in Louisiana, Michigan, and Ohio, he and his wife settled in Bradenton, Florida where they lived for 30 years. In 1995, they moved to Grafton, Virginia in order to be closer to their families. While in Florida and Virginia, Harry loved to fish and golf. His special love was to fish with his sons and grandsons.

Harry was devoted to his three children, Christopher Collins Merritt of Yorktown, VA, Fredric Scott Merritt of Potomac Falls, VA, and Nancy Ann Hasty of Oxford, AL; his five grandchildren, Christina Marie Merritt Majewicz (Yorktown, VA), Kelly Kristin Merritt (Purpellville, VA), Lance Collins Merritt (Jupiter, FL), Craig Lee Hasty, II (Oxford, AL, deceased), and Nicole Annette Hasty (Bayfield, WI). Harry was also blessed with four great grandchildren, Amanda Marie, Joseph Collins, and Peter John Majewicz and Blake Collins Merritt. All will truly miss their “fun loving” Pops.

Harry was preceded in rest by his wife, Mary Sue Collins (of whom they were married 65 years), his mother, Rose Elaine Calitri and his father, Bonny Harrington Merritt. He is also survived by two sisters, June Wilkinson and Norma Herring, many nieces and nephews, and two loving daughter-in-laws, Penny R. Merritt (Yorktown, VA) and Nancy Carter Merritt (Potomac Falls, VA).

Harry and his wife, Sue, were members of St. Luke’s Methodist Church in Grafton, VA for ten years where Harry served as a greeter and usher.

The family will welcome friends to join them for the graveside service at Peninsula Memorial Park on Saturday, May 18th, at 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the Lymphoma Society by supporting Pops' granddaughter’s (Christina Merritt Majewicz) participation in the Lymphoma Society’s November marathon. Please use the following web site to obtain needed information in order to make Lymphoma contributions:

http://pages.teamintraining.org/va/richmar13/tmajewicz