John J. Merrill

John J. Merrill, 84, of Port Charlotte, Florida passed away Tuesday, November 6, 2012 at Harbour Health Center in Port Charlotte. Mr. Merrill was born March 3, 1928 in Bronx, New York to Thomas and Jane (nee McGrath) Merrill and moved to this area 38 years ago from East Meadow, Long Island, New York. He worked as a detective for the Nassau County Police Department where he worked on a Special Ops Team protecting dignitaries such as Presidents Nixon and Johnson and celebrities such as Robert Redford before retiring in January 1975. Mr. Merrill taught history for 10 years at Charlotte High School. He was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police, BPOE, and the American Legion. Mr. Merrill also played professional baseball for the Brooklyn Dodgers, was Captain of Fisherman Village Tennis Team, was President of Tarpons Booster Club, and served as Deputy Sheriff with the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office. He was a veteran of the Korean War serving in the US Army. Mr. Merrill was a member of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church where he served as Lay Eucharistic Minister. Mr. Merrill is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Leah T. Merrill of Port Charlotte; son, John J. (Margaret) Merrill, Jr. of Knoxville, TN and Lake Placid, FL; daughter, Patricia (Jim) Gedra of Fort Myers, FL; and 7 granddaughters. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 1:00PM on Friday, November 9, 2012 at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 21505 Augusta Avenue in Port Charlotte. Entombment will follow at Restlawn Memorial Gardens in Port Charlotte. Please visit John's tribute wall at www.schelmfh.com to share memories and to send condolences to the Merrill family. Preferred donations may be made in loving memory of John to Charlotte High School, John Merrill Scholarship Fund, 1250 Cooper Street, Punta Gorda, FL 33950. Arrangements by Paul Schelm Funeral Home in Lake Suzy. Phone (941) 625-3535. *******Flag requested*******