Frank A. Merra

BROCKTON Frank A. Merra, 91 years young, a lifelong Brockton resident, died Thursday, Feb. 26, 2009, at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, after a brief illness. He was the beloved husband of Emily (Lupica) Merra of Brockton. Born Dec. 7, 1917, in Brockton, he was a son of the late Sabino Merra and Anna (DAlessandro) Merra. Raised in Brockton, Frank graduated from Brockton High School as a member of the class of 1935. In March of 1941, he enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps of Engineers, and was shipped overseas to New Caledonia in the Pacific Theatre, where he served during World War II. He was honorably discharged in 1945, attaining the rank of Master Sergeant. After the war, he became an avid golfer and was a member of D.W. Field Golf Course for many years. He was president of the Golf Association there for a few years, and was instrumental in getting Hall of Fame Pro Golfer Gene Sarazen to come and play D.W. Field to raise money for the Francis Ouimet Caddy Scholarship Fund. An excellent golfer himself, he held the Number 1 badge at DW for many years. He worked at FootJoy Company for over 40 years, where he cut top of the line leather golf shoes by hand. He was once featured in a print ad for FootJoy Co. cutting shoes as a craftsman, which appeared in Sports Illustrated. He was a longtime communicant of St Edith Stein/ St. Edwards Church. Mostly though, Frank was a decent, great guy, and devoted family man. He was loved by his family and he loved them, especially his daughter, Frances, who predeceased him last month. He made a positive and lasting impression on people he came in contact with, even though it may have been only one time. He loved his city and was a proud, strong, classy and a gentleman. He loved to teach and was a very patient man. He especially loved to give golf lessons to anyone he played with or met on the putting green in front of the clubhouse at DW. With his passing, the world is a little less of a better place. He will be sorely missed by all. He is survived by his loving wife, Emily (Lupica) Merra of Brockton; his sister, Patricia (Merra) Lupica of Sandwich; his brother Sam Merra and his wife Judy of Sudbury; he is also survived by several nieces; nephews; and many other relatives and friends. He was the loving father of the late Frances A. Merra and the brother-in-law of the late Peter Lupica. Please note change of funeral service. Funeral service will be held in the Russell & Pica Funeral Home, 165 Belmont St. (Rte. 123) Brockton Thursday, at 11 a.m. Interment will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Brockton. Calling hours Wednesday, 4-8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations in Franks memory may be made to Brockton High School Save Our Sports, c/o Thomas Kenney, 470 Forest Ave., Brockton, MA 02301. For directions, obituary, and view memorial video tribute, visit www.RussellFuneralHome.com.