Obituary of Walter Leslie Merrick

Walter Leslie Merrick passed away peacefully at home, of natural causes, on November 6th, 2023.

Walter was born on September 10, 1936, in Pasadena, CA, and raised in Jordanville, NY. His parents were Frank K. and Mildred S. Merrick, with siblings William, Frank (Bud), Larry, Garry, Wayne, and Orpha. Married to Roberta Jeanne Kent for 60 years, he spent most of his adult life in Rome, where they raised four children.

Walter was kind, generous and creative. He spent most of his art teaching career at Vernon Verona Sherrill High School. For many years at VVS he shared his love of art and education, guiding the yearbook committee and directing several musicals.

Walter loved his membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As a young man, he served a mission for the church in the San Francisco, California Mission and throughout his life, blessed many lives in the local congregations of Herkimer, Utica, and Rome.

Walter is survived by his three daughters, Rebekah (Gary) Wolf, of Salt Lake City, UT, Leah (Mark) McBride, of Chatham, NJ, and Nancy (Brent) Phillippi, of Madison, NJ; son, Brendan Merrick, of Ashland, MA; seven grandchildren, Jonathan Wolf, Nicholas Wolf, Kristoffer Wolf, Jameson McBride, Alexandra McBride Cousineau, Achsa Phillippi and David Phillippi; and six great-grandchildren, Emily, James, Micah, Minnie, Conner, and Oliver.

A viewing will be held at Barry Funeral Home, 807 W. Chestnut Street, Rome, on Friday, November 10 from 5-7 PM. A second viewing will be held on Saturday, November 11 from 10-11 AM at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 8650 Turin Road, Rome. Directly following the viewing will be a service honoring Walter. He will then be interred at Rome Cemetery, Jervis Ave., Rome.