Eugene Merecki

Dr. Eugene A. Merecki Cambridge - Dr. Eugene A. Merecki, 79, of West Main Street, died peacefully, Tuesday, November 19, 2013 with his loving wife Heide and his family by his side. Born February 17, 1934, in Jamaica, Queens, New York, he was the only child of Polish immigrants, Eugene T. and Jennie F. (Peczynski) Merecki. He graduated from St. John’s University, did graduate and research work at Michigan University, and received his medical degree at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska in 1960. He completed his internship and residency at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Obstetrics and Gynecology in Omaha. Eugene and Heide were married January 14, 1961 in Omaha, Nebraska. He was called away from private practice during the height of the Vietnam War. He served in the US Army, stationed at Fort Dix, NJ for two years as a Captain in the Medical Corp from 1966 to 1968. Dr. Merecki and his family moved to Cambridge in 1968 and joined the OB-GYN practice of Dr. Robert Hardy. The practice was located for many years at Mary McClellan Hospital. He was also an assistant surgeon spending many hours in the OR with Dr. Ceferino Villafuerte. In the late 80’s, Dr. Merecki moved his practice to an office on West Main Street. For seven years he was sole practitioner for the surrounding communities. Disability forced his early retirement in 1997. Dr. Eugene A. Merecki was a kind, generous and humble country physician in the truest sense. In his years of practice he delivered over 4,000 babies. A true small town doctor, he took care of patients from every walk of life. His services were given with care and compassion to all who needed them, regardless of their financial situation. Dr. Merecki’s testimonial on earth was carried on by quietly caring for many without recognition. Even with his 24 hour/ 7 day medical on-call schedule, he made time for his family. They have fond memories of hiking in the Green Mountains, Cape Cod, Maine and throughout New York. Dr. Merecki had many outside interests throughout his life away from medicine. He was an amateur geologist which included metal detecting, gold panning, and exploring mines. He had fond memories traveling with his wife to Europe and the continental United States including Alaska and Montana. He was a communicant of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and a member of Capt. Maxson Post # 634 of the American Legion and a lifetime member of the NRA. Along with his wife of 52 years, he is survived by four children, Dr. Eugene K. Merecki and wife Kimberly Jo of Greenwich, NY, John A. Merecki and wife Diana L. of North Greenbush, James P. Merecki and wife Victoria A. of Stratham, NH and Janet H. Smith and husband Kenneth D. Smith, Jr. of Greenland, NH and nine grandchildren, Eugene Michael, Kelly Jo, Alex, Kiley, Carter, Jack, Noah, Colby and Morgen. Dr. Merecki’s family would like to thank the compassionate care provided by Dr. Marianne Mustafa, Saratoga Hospital, Albany Medical Center, St. Peter’s Hospital, Cambridge Valley Rescue Squad and Peg’s Angels. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Joseph’s Church on Saturday, December 28, 2013 at a time to be announced. For those wishing to remember Dr. Merecki in a special way, the family requests memorial donations be made to either St. Joseph’s Renovation Project, 35 Hill Street, Greenwich, NY 12834; Cambridge Valley Rescue Squad, 37 Gilbert Street, Cambridge, NY 12816 or the Battenkill Chorale, 90 East Main Street, Cambridge, NY 12816. The family is being assisted by Ackley & Ross Funeral Home, 73 West Main Street, Cambridge, NY. Please visit www.ackleyrossfuneralhome.com to share a memory of Dr. Merecki or send a condolence.