Bernard L “Bernie” Merritt , 94,of Hayward Ave., lifelong Norwich resident, passed away early Saturday morning, December 8, 2018 in the Residential Health Care Facility of Chenango Memorial Hospital. Bernie was born in Norwich on June 22, 1924 to Fred L. and Jennifer Lamphere Merritt. He attended Norwich City School until he joined the US Army in March 1943. He was assigned to the 412th Military Police Escort Guard guarding German and Italian prisoners of war in the United States. Bernie was transferred to the 51th MP Battalion in the Pacific Theater in preparation for the invasion of Japan. He was in Okinawa on VJ Day. Bernie was part of the occupation force in Korea until his honorable discharge in March 1946.
Bernie returned to Norwich and married Elizabeth “Betty” McNeil on May 23, 1947. Bernie worked for Pepsi-Cola and General Laboratories Association (GLA) retiring after 33 years in 1986. He was Manager of the G.L.A. Federal Credit Union for over 25 years and was Chairman of the Norwich City Traffic Commission for 40 years. Bernie was a Life member of both the Lt. Warren E. Eaton D.S.C. American Legion Post 189 and Christy Rock Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2782.
Besides time with family Bernie spent many years tracing his family history. He enjoyed all the research and sharing his family tree with anyone who would listen. Bernie also remained in contact with many of his fellow MP’s. He researched and found all but 16 of the 130 members of the 412th MPEG, and organized 16 reunions from Camp Perry, Ohio to White Sulphur Spring, West Virginia to Gatlinburg, Tenn. Last reunion was in 1998 as it was no longer easy for them to travel.
Bernie is predeceased by his parents, brothers Archie and Kenneth, Sister Laura Rahn, wife Elizabeth and daughters Maureen Walberg and Bernadette “Bambi” Newby. Bernie is survived by sons Brian (Rosemary) of Liverpool NY and Russell (Victoria) of Norwich and daughter Bernadine “Bimbo” (Peter) Perta of Dallas TX, sons-in-law Eric Wahlberg of Norwich and Daniel Newby of So. New Berlin. Grandchildren Nikole Wahlberg of Norwich, Matthew (Laura) Wahlberg of Sidney, Todd Wahlberg of Norwich, Monica Merritt of North Syracuse N.Y., Jeremy Merritt of East Greenbush N.Y., Shawn Merritt(Jennifer) of Norwich, Tara (Jake) Pettengill of Oviedo FL, Drew (Jillian) Newby of Binghamton, Ryan(Shannon) Newby of Syracuse and Royx Newby, So. New Berlin, N.Y., Erica (Timothy) O’Donnell and Merritt Daniels, Syracuse, N.Y. Also surviving are Bernie’s great-grandchildren Rachael, Cadence and Megan Wahlberg of Sidney, Eliot and Eli Merritt of East Greenbush, Elizabeth, William and Katherine Newby of Binghamton, Stefen and Sarah Straight of So. New Berlin , Raehana Reeves, Iris and Arthur O’Donnell of Syracuse and step great-grandchildren, Alex and Carlie Gale of Norwich N.Y. along with several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Friends may call at the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home of Norwich on Friday December 14 from 5-8 PM. Services will be held at the R.J.Fahy Funeral Home on Saturday December 15 at 11:00.
Interment with full military rites will be held in the spring from the Mt. Hope Cemetery.
Please consider memorial contributions to the Residential Health Care Facility, c/o Chenango Memorial Hospital, 179 No. Broad St., Norwich, N.Y. 13815.
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