Bruce Andrew Merino

May 1st, 1953 - June 20th, 2026

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved Husband, Dad, Bapa, and friend. Bruce Andrew Merino, age 73, passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 20th, 2026 surrounded by his family and close friends. Bruce, a San Diego native, was a self made business man with a successful 25 year career with The Home Depot. He began his career at The Home Depot as a building materials merchant, eventually working his way up to become President of the Western Division and President of The Home Depot EXPO. He retired in 2009 and soon after became a member of the Board of Directors for Universal Forest Products, where he served for 15 years. Bruce was also an entrepreneur where he co-founded KBLED in which he was deeply involved until his passing. In addition to his professional life, Bruce was an avid philanthropist where he passionately raised and donated money to The City of Hope Foundation for decades. Despite these accomplishments, his pride and joy was his family. Some of his favorite things in life included golfing, cooking, rooting for the Padres, and spending time with his grandchildren by the pool listening to yacht rock. Bruce is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Marie, three daughters, Angela (Ted) Curtis, Gina (Brian) Dufault, Chiara (Ryan) Dolliver, his loving dog Baci, four grandchildren, Monique Dufault, Madeleine Dufault, Nicolas Curtis, and Sofia Curtis, his two sisters Marta Wreden and Nancy (Mark) Routh, and his Aunt Alice Emery along with many cousins, nieces, and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents Albert and Marina Merino and his three brothers Albert, Mark, and David. Celebration of life date, time, and location will be announced soon. In lieu of flowers, the family asks to donate, if inclined, in his name to Scripps Memorial or Scripps Green Transplant Center, both in La Jolla, California.

A URN MEMORIAL FUNERAL will be held at SAINT ELIZABETH CATHOLIC CHURCH, 6628 SANTA ISABEL ST, CARLSBAD, CA 92009, US, on July 22, 2026, from 10:30 am to 11:30 am.