John Anthony Merrill

John A. Merrill, 75, peacefully entered eternal life on February 22, 2016. He was born on February 17, 1941 to parents Egidia L. DiBenedetto and Warren Mooney Merrill. He grew up in Bronx, NY where he met his wife, Margaret Mary Murphy, when she was only 5 years old and he was 11. He was a chief engineer for many years for NBC in New York, NY. In 1979, he was recruited by a small start-up company in Bristol, Connecticut known as ESPN Sports Center. He was one of the first employees of ESPN, and retired from the company after more than 30 dedicated years. Known as an animal lover, John will be greatly missed by his four-legged friends, Buddy and Brittany. He is survived by his five children, daughter Mary Cratty, son-in-law Michael Cratty, daughter Margaret Miguel, son-in-law Michael Miguel, daughter Michele Deeb, son-in-law John Deeb, daughter Monique McCall Oyer, son-in-law Harvey E. Oyer III, son, John Merrill, and 16 grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to Closer to Free Fund for Smilow Cancer Hospital, PO Box 1849, New Haven, CT 06508 or The Connecticut Humane Society, 701 Russell Rd, Newington, CT 06111.

Visitation will be Friday, February 26th between 4pm and 7pm at Dunn Funeral Home, 191 West Street, Bristol. The Funeral Liturgy will be 10am on Saturday, February 27th , in St. Anthony’s Church 111 School Street, Bristol, burial to follow in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Bristol. Please join us for a reception lunch at The Landings of Farmington, 111 Scott Swam Road, Farmington about 12 noon. www.dunnfh.com