Carolyn Merhige

Carol, a longtime resident of Amity Harbor, died the morning of Thursday, June 9, 2022. She was born in Mount Morris Park hospital, Manhattan, NY, on November 15, 1937, to Gertrude and Charles Betzag. She is survived by her loving husband of 62 years, Richard Merhige Sr (Dick Merhige).

Carol grew up in Massapequa and attended Amityville High school until she transferred to Seton Hall Catholic High School, Patchogue, NY. Always a high academic achiever, she was an honor student throughout high school. She received a BA in teaching from SUNY Cortland where she was on the synchronized swim team and was an active sorority member. She furthered her education and received master’s degrees from Stony Brook and Hofstra.

Carol enjoyed life to the fullest by doing what she loved. She was an avid sailor, tireless tennis player, voracious reader, and competitive player of cards and games. She was truly a Long Island girl, she enjoyed sailing on the Great South Bay right off the back yard of her long-time home. Carol owned moresailboats than cars. Carol and Dick’s prized possession was their 35-foot Pearson, “Marowa”. They happily loaded up the boat with their five children and their dog for frequent excursions to Sailors Haven, Fire Island and to Block Island. Carol was an active member of Narragansett boating club in Amityville, volunteering for social events at the club, frequently sailing with other members, and had her grandchildren participate in the sailing school program. She passed along her passion for sailing to herchildren and grandchildren. Carol was athletic and played tennis throughout her life. She taught all her children to play and was the Copiague high school tennis coach for several years. Always looking to learn more, Carol was avid reader and was an active member and former board member of the Copiague Library Book Club. Her competitive Scrabble playing was legendary within the family, and she nearly always won. She had wonderful friends that she saw regularly to play bridge, mah-jongg, backgammon and dominos.

Carol focused on her family and her community. She raised five amazing kids, Richard, Ronald, Rachel, Rosemary, and Pamela. Carol pursued her passion for very active lifestyle and retired from teaching Forest Hill PS 144. In the summertime, she would squeeze her children into a boat and would take them fishing, clamming, beach surfing, etc. In the wintertime, she would organize ski trips, sledding, ice skating on the bay and during the holidays, lots of family gatherings. She also was very involved in Girl Scouts, PTA functions, and all kinds of community fundraisers. Carol didn’t love the kitchen, but she had a few favorite meals to cook: her meat sauce, lasagna, sauerbraten, cranberry oatmeal cookies, and Irish soda bread. She married the love of her life, Richard Merhige Sr, in 1960. Together they have life-long memories of building sailboats, sailing, skiing, and traveling across the country and around the globe including Rome, Germany, England, Ireland, Egypt, and several cruises. In 1987, Carol sailed the Florida Intercoastal with three friends. Her grandchildren were most important to her. She loved the gatherings where all of her children and grandchildren were present for the annual summer reunion family beach week to South Bethany Beach, Maryland. This exciting family week included daily activities, scavenger hunts, family games, sitting together on the beach, themed dinner nights, and much laughter.

Carol loved life and always encouraged others to join her. Whether it was participating in sailing races or tennis matches, she wanted us all to join in the celebration of life. Whether as a teenager or young woman she never gave up or gave in. She was always active, whether water skiing, snow skiing, tennis, boating, or gardening, and, true to her “love of life” creed, loved to be with friends and family. She wanted to enjoy and life her life to the fullest and not miss out on any family or friend gathering. She was eager to show her grandchildren what she had accomplished with her life, encouraging them to never give up. She always urged those around her to “get involved and go outside”.

Carol was truly a special, amazing person, full of life and vitality. She adored her family and was a devoted and loving wife, mother, and grandmother. Carol is survived by her loving husband of 62 years, Richard; her children, her grandchildren, her sister, and sister-in-law.

Richard Merhige & wife Christine Battles Merhige

Ronald Merhige & wife Susan Merhige, children, Nicholas, Andrew, Alexander, William

Rachel& her husband Michael Maines, children, Gregory & his wife Anastasia, Stephanie & her Finance Parker Wright

Rosemary & her husband Scot Romoser, children, Laurel, Claire

Pamela & her husband Norman Maple, children Erin, Katherine

Her Sister, Cathy Cassot – Farley

Her Sister-in-Law, Barbara Betzag

Carol was predeceased by her brother Fredrick Betzag

Family and friends will gather for visitation on Thursday, June 16th from 2 - 4:30 and 7 - 9:30 p.m. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, at 9:30 AM at St. Martin of Tours Church in Amityville. Interment services will follow at 11:15 AM at Calverton National Cemetery.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.DAndreaBrosFuneral.com for the Merhige family.