George Harrison "Bud" Merritt

1921 - 2018

Old Lyme - George "Bud" Harrison Merritt, 96, of Naples, Fla. and Old Lyme, passed away on Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2018.

George was born in Pittsfield, Mass., on Dec. 6, 1921, son of Ethel (Martin) Merritt and Laurence Hobart Merritt. He graduated from Pittsfield High School in 1939 and Holy Cross College, Class of 1943, with a bachelor's degree in economics. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, serving as a lieutenant from 1943 to 1945. He chose a career in advertising, marketing and public relations. He worked with American Optical Co. and Travelers Insurance Co. before accepting a position with Milton Bradley Co. (Hasbro) where he worked from 1966 until his retirement in 1992 as vice president of advertising and public relations.

During his working years, George also became an instructor in the Dale Carnegie Course which he taught throughout New England for over 30 years. He also taught advertising and marketing courses at Western New England College, University of Massachusetts, University of Hartford, Hartford YMCA, Springfield Technical College, and Holyoke Community College.

George was a member of the Public Relations Society of America, the Advertising Club of Western Massachusetts, the Holy Cross Alumni Association, and a director of the Connecticut Red Cross Blood Program. He was a fourth degree Knight of Columbus, and served as a lector both at St. Peter Claver Church in West Hartford and St. William Church in Naples, Fla. He was active in the blood drive program at the Vineyards in Naples, where he was also an active golf member of the Vineyards Country Club. In 2011, George began his volunteer work with Avow Hospice, providing marketing support for their fundraising efforts, care and compassion for end-of-life patients, and administering communion as a eucharistic minister to their families. In 2013, George was the recipient of Avow's coveted "Butterfly Award" – which honors "a person who has taken the personal loss of losing a loved one and channeled that loss into making end-of-life care better for others."

In 1945, George married Marion F. Loftus with whom he raised ten children. They made their home at 19 LeMay St., West Hartford for 33 years before retiring to the Vineyards in Naples, Fla. in 1992. They spent their summers at their home in Old Lyme which they bought in 1968.

George was predeceased by his wife, Marion, in 2008. He was also predeceased by his oldest son, Andrew, in 1984; and his grandson, Paul Rowean Jr., in 1985.

George is survived by nine children: Kathy Amenta; Connie Merritt and her husband, Greg Fitzgerald; Judy Rowean and her husband, Paul; Jean Linderman and her husband, John; Polly Maglio and her husband, Gary; Larry Merritt and his partner, Michael McLaughlin; Chip Merritt and his wife, Luanne; Martin Merritt; and Matthew Merritt and his wife, Jennifer. He also leaves 17 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.

Friends and relatives are welcome to call on the family from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 5, at the Molloy Funeral Home, 906 Farmington Ave., West Hartford. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 6, with the celebration of his Mass of Christian Burial at St. Peter Claver Church, 47 Pleasant St., West Hartford. Burial with military honors will follow in Fairview Cemetery.

Online expressions of sympathy may be made at www.molloyfuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in George's name may be made to Avow Hospice, 1095 Whippoorwill Lane, Naples, FL 34105.

"When you are sorrowful, look again in your heart – you shall see that, in truth, you are weeping for that which has been your delight."