HORNELL-Albert L. Merriam, 95, formerly of County Route 70 A, Big Creek Road, passed away Sunday afternoon (Jan. 4, 2015) at the Steuben Center for Rehabilitation and Healthcare in Bath.
Born in Elmira on March 25, 1919, he was the son of the late George and Martha Scarveski Merriam. On Sept. 9, 1942 he was married at the Post Chapel at Fort Dix, N.J. to the former Helen C. Rouse, who predeceased him on March 20, 1998 after 56 years of marriage. Besides his parents and wife, he was also predeceased by his sister, Florence Merriam in 1996.
A graduate of Southside High School in Elmira, Al also graduated from the Elmira Business Institute. He proudly served his country with the U.S. Army Air Corps in the African Theater during World War II from 1942 to his honorable discharge in 1945 as a S/Sgt.
His employment included working for the Chemung County Clerk’s Office, the U.S. House of Representatives and the D.L. & W. Railroad. He later owned and operated Merriam’s Grocery and also served as an Elmira City Councilman.
A resident of Hornell since 1972, he was employed by the N.Y. S. Dept. of Transportation in Hornell before his retirement.
Al was a member of Our Lady of the Valley Parish in Hornell and was a devout communicant of St. Ann’s Church where he served as a Eucharistic Minister.
During his lifetime, Al became an accomplished carpenter, woodworker and cabinet maker, who enjoyed building things for family, friends and St. Ann’s Church.
Al and Helen raised seven children, Elizabeth Barber of Broken Arrow, OK, James Merriam of Germantown, MD, David (Roxanne) Merriam of Madison, MS, Robert Merriam (Guy Rainey) of Palm Springs, CA, John (Gail) Merriam of Hammondsport, Joseph (Kathy) Merriam of Webster and Ann (Lance) Rizzon of Bradford. He also has 16 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
The Bishop & Johnson Funeral Home, Inc. in Hornell is honored to serve the family of Albert L. Merriam.
Calling hours are from 4-7 p.m. Friday at the Bishop & Johnson Funeral Home, Inc., 285 Main St., Hornell. Friends are invited to meet his family at St. Ann’s Church where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday. Committal prayers and interment will follow at Ss. Peter & Paul Cemetery, Elmira.
The United States flag and the Army flag will proudly fly at the Bishop & Johnson Funeral Home, Inc. in recognition of Al’s military service during World War II.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing may contribute in his memory to St. Ann’s Church of Our Lady of the Valley Parish, 27 Erie Ave., Hornell, N.Y. 14843. Envelopes for memorial contributions will be available at the funeral home.
Online condolences or remembrances of Al are welcomed at www.bishopandjohnsonfuneralhome.com.
