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February 10, 2017
Services
Friends may visit with the family on Tuesday, February 14, 2017 from 4-8PM at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, in Wayne.
Funeral Services for the immediate family will be held on Wednesday, February 15, 2017 at 9AM at the funeral home. A Funeral Mass will then be offered for everyone who would like to attend at 10AM at St. Mary’s R.C. Church, 17 Pompton Ave, in Pompton Lakes.
Harry G. Merklin, age 72, of Pompton Lakes, NJ passed away peacefully with his loving family by his side on Friday, February 10, 2017.
Harry was born into the Merklin family of Orange, New Jersey as the youngest of six boys on July 12, 1944. His wife Edna, who knew him as a child, fondly remembers Harry as the little kid walking up the street every Sunday for church. He graduated from Our Lady of the Valley in Orange, while also working as a dishwasher at his brother’s luncheonette. At that point, he considered committing to life as a priest, spending six months at a seminary, and then thought better of it. After returning home, Harry began to date the girl next door--Edna, his wife of nearly 50 years. They married on April 8, 1967, with a honeymoon in the Poconos. He was inspired to become a teacher after watching To Sir, With Love. While raising their first child, Ryan, Harry earned a Masters degree in Education at Seton Hall University by attending classes at night. Following Ryan thirteen years later, Harry and Edna adopted their daughter, Kelly, who was then followed two years later by their third child, Nicole. Supporting his family for the majority of his life, Harry held a career as a teacher for the Wayne Board of Education across many schools and grades through the town, eventually retiring in 2007. He cultivated life long friendships with some of his colleagues.
Consistently working multiple jobs for decades, Harry devoted much of his life to providing for his family. He leaves his wife, children, their spouses and grandchildren with an abundance of memories from Sunday suppers and beach vacations. He carried a special love and pride in becoming a grandfather. As an honorary grandfather to many children of the neighborhood, he offered a friendly and reassuring presence. His presence sitting outside on the side porch was so steadfast, one young neighbor who waved to him daily became convinced he lived on the porch.
Harry's solitary pastimes were caring for the lawn, tanning, and watching Judge Judy and Law & Order, but he derived the most pleasure by participating in the comings and goings of everyday life around him. As such, he was seen as part neighborhood mayor, part town gossip. He was a neighborhood character who loved knowing all the characters of the neighborhood. He loved being the switchboard, reporting what he'd learned through an earlier conversation with someone else. As a lifetime teller of tall tales, what details he couldn't remember, he would invent.
Harry felt most at home when he was surrounded by others. He adored getting attention, but was ultimately happy just to be a part of it all. He loved neighborhood tailgate parties, though he had no interest in sports. Even while managing multiple health issues at the end of his life, he continued to go to the gym to socialize with his friends. He fought to stay in the world with all the stubbornness he'd always possessed, and Harry finally let go peacefully, while his family had dinner in the next room, amidst their chattering company.
Harry is survived by his loving wife, Edna (née Breen) Merklin of Pompton Lakes; three children: Ryan Merklin and his wife Jennifer of Wayne, Kelly Merklin and her husband William Jacobs of New York, NY, and Nicole VanDermark and her husband Harold of Pompton Lakes; two grandchildren,Tyler and Gavin; one brother, David Merklin, Sr. and his wife, Doris of Stuart, FL; several nieces and nephews; and his beloved cat. Harry was predeceased by his brothers: John Merklin, Frederick Merklin, Joseph Merklin, and Francis Merklin.
In lieu of flowers, Harry requested that memorial donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959.
If you would like to send a private condolence directly to the family use this condolence section.
Friends may visit with the family on Tuesday, February 14, 2017 from 4-8PM at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, in Wayne.
Funeral Services for the immediate family will be held on Wednesday, February 15, 2017 at 9AM at the funeral home. A Funeral Mass will then be offered for everyone who would like to attend at 10AM at St. Mary’s R.C. Church, 17 Pompton Ave, in Pompton Lakes.
February 10, 2017
Services
Friends may visit with the family on Tuesday, February 14, 2017 from 4-8PM at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, in Wayne.
Funeral Services for the immediate family will be held on Wednesday, February 15, 2017 at 9AM at the funeral home. A Funeral Mass will then be offered for everyone who would like to attend at 10AM at St. Mary’s R.C. Church, 17 Pompton Ave, in Pompton Lakes.
Harry G. Merklin, age 72, of Pompton Lakes, NJ passed away peacefully with his loving family by his side on Friday, February 10, 2017.
Harry was born into the Merklin family of Orange, New Jersey as the youngest of six boys on July 12, 1944. His wife Edna, who knew him as a child, fondly remembers Harry as the little kid walking up the street every Sunday for church. He graduated from Our Lady of the Valley in Orange, while also working as a dishwasher at his brother’s luncheonette. At that point, he considered committing to life as a priest, spending six months at a seminary, and then thought better of it. After returning home, Harry began to date the girl next door--Edna, his wife of nearly 50 years. They married on April 8, 1967, with a honeymoon in the Poconos. He was inspired to become a teacher after watching To Sir, With Love. While raising their first child, Ryan, Harry earned a Masters degree in Education at Seton Hall University by attending classes at night. Following Ryan thirteen years later, Harry and Edna adopted their daughter, Kelly, who was then followed two years later by their third child, Nicole. Supporting his family for the majority of his life, Harry held a career as a teacher for the Wayne Board of Education across many schools and grades through the town, eventually retiring in 2007. He cultivated life long friendships with some of his colleagues.
Consistently working multiple jobs for decades, Harry devoted much of his life to providing for his family. He leaves his wife, children, their spouses and grandchildren with an abundance of memories from Sunday suppers and beach vacations. He carried a special love and pride in becoming a grandfather. As an honorary grandfather to many children of the neighborhood, he offered a friendly and reassuring presence. His presence sitting outside on the side porch was so steadfast, one young neighbor who waved to him daily became convinced he lived on the porch.
Harry's solitary pastimes were caring for the lawn, tanning, and watching Judge Judy and Law & Order, but he derived the most pleasure by participating in the comings and goings of everyday life around him. As such, he was seen as part neighborhood mayor, part town gossip. He was a neighborhood character who loved knowing all the characters of the neighborhood. He loved being the switchboard, reporting what he'd learned through an earlier conversation with someone else. As a lifetime teller of tall tales, what details he couldn't remember, he would invent.
Harry felt most at home when he was surrounded by others. He adored getting attention, but was ultimately happy just to be a part of it all. He loved neighborhood tailgate parties, though he had no interest in sports. Even while managing multiple health issues at the end of his life, he continued to go to the gym to socialize with his friends. He fought to stay in the world with all the stubbornness he'd always possessed, and Harry finally let go peacefully, while his family had dinner in the next room, amidst their chattering company.
Harry is survived by his loving wife, Edna (née Breen) Merklin of Pompton Lakes; three children: Ryan Merklin and his wife Jennifer of Wayne, Kelly Merklin and her husband William Jacobs of New York, NY, and Nicole VanDermark and her husband Harold of Pompton Lakes; two grandchildren,Tyler and Gavin; one brother, David Merklin, Sr. and his wife, Doris of Stuart, FL; several nieces and nephews; and his beloved cat. Harry was predeceased by his brothers: John Merklin, Frederick Merklin, Joseph Merklin, and Francis Merklin.
In lieu of flowers, Harry requested that memorial donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959.
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