It is with great sadness that we share that after 46 years of courage and determination, John Robert Merullo has completed his final health battle at the age of 77. John passed away on September 17th at Danbury Hospital surrounded by his family and dearest friends and we are proud to report that John had won his cancer battle. Cancer was not the cause of his passing. He fought cancer for 46 years and the cancer did not win!
The son of the late Emanuel and Eleanor Russo Merullo, John was born on September 1, 1946 in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The family moved soon after his birth to Redding, CT when his father took his first teaching position at Jesse Lee Academy. The family later moved to Danbury where John lived the rest of his life.
John attended Danbury Public schools graduating from Danbury High School in 1964. He always loved sports and was a varsity member of the football and baseball teams, excelling in both. His love of Danbury High School brought him back often to volunteer in the booth during football season as his father had done and his son continues to do. There has been a Merullo in that booth for many decades and John was always proud and happy to do it. John was also a founding member of the Danbury High School Hall of Fame and was honored by his induction. He was also so proud of his induction to The Danbury Old Timers. Both of these organizations were very important to him. Some of his happiest years on the football field were as a volunteer coach for both Coach Davis and Coach Donovan. He loved the game and he loved the players. Danbury High School and DHS Football were always a very important part of John’s life.
After graduation John attended Bridgeton Academy in Maine, as his father had done before him. He then went on to the University of South Carolina for a year. His health ended his ability to play football so he returned to Danbury, eventually joining the Danbury Police Department in July of 1968.
The majority of his tenure as a detective was with his favorite team in SID. These detectives were great colleagues and have remained great friends. The highlight of his police career may have been the years he spent on loan to the CT State Police in their Soctif Unit and The Statewide Narcotics Task Force. John retired from the Danbury Police department after 33 years. One of his greatest disappointments was that he retired in July of 2001 and was not on active duty to assist at 9/11 in New York City.
John loved the beach, especially in Bermuda, where we vacationed for over 30 years. He loved watching Yankee and Red Sox baseball and literally following the UCONN Women’s basketball team all over the country with our basketball buddies Bill and Paula. Football season was more about the colleges than the pros and Army/Navy weekend was the highlight of the year with his son and grandson and all of his police buddies.
Somewhere in the last few years, John developed a love for Andrea Boccelli. Who knew from the guy who never sang along except Happy Birthday for his grandkids! He would often listen to Bocelli when he was relaxing or not feeling well.
Family was John’s lifeblood. Nothing was more important!
He is survived by his wife Betsy, his son Tim and daughter-in-law Maureen and his two favorite people, grandchildren Joseph Merullo, our resident landscaper and Grace Merullo, our artist and dancer.
Brothers Robert (Sharee) Merullo and Steven Merullo, Sister-in-Law Chrissy Merullo and his favorite sister Lynda (David) Robinson, Sister-in-Law Anne Kahrimanis, Nieces Stephanie and Adrianne Benso, Nancy and Jill Kahrimanis, Jaclyn, Chelsee, and Mackensie Merullo, Nephews Robert (Amanda) Merullo and Matthew Merullo, grand nephews Rhyse, Maddox, Darwin, Dex, Jimmy and Charlie and grand niece Trinity.
John was predeceased by his brother-in-law Dr. Richard Kahrimanis and sister-in-law Laurie Sachs Rice.
John also leaves many loving cousins in CT and MA, all of whom meant the world to him and were such an important part of his life.
Along with the family listed above, John’s family was more extensive. He leaves behind his dearest friends, who were also considered family and have supported him and brought him much joy in his life throughout his battles with cancer.
Both John and I are most thankful for our loving and dedicated medical family. Dr. John Pezzimenti, who has been there for us in every possible way as a doctor, a friend and father figure. Dr.Vincent Rella, who has treated, educated and supported us above and beyond on any given day.
Our heartfelt thanks to the wonderful staff at Praxair Cancer Center, all of whom have cared for John in their particular areas of expertise. Equally as wonderful, the staff on 11 East and the staff in Outpatient Infusion. No words can express how wonderful you all have been to John on his health journey.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in John’s memory to:
The John F. Pezzimenti MD Endowment Fund
PO Box 22539
NY, NY 10087-2539
