Cyril "Skip" MERRICK

Cyril E “Skip” Merrick,78, of Belmont passed away February 6, 2025, in Cape Coral, FL after a brief illness.

Born November 24, 1946, in Reno, Nevada and raised in Arcade and Franklinville, NY, Skip was the Wyoming County Mile Track Champion 1964-1966 and played saxophone and clarinet in band, including at the Worlds Fair. Upon graduating from Arcade High School he joined the United States Navy where he was voted “Most Trustworthy”. Skip was in the Navy Dance Band during bootcamp and he continued playing throughout his life as part of the Village of Alfred and Alfred University bands. First stationed in Norfolk as a firefighter in Crash & Rescue, he then transferred to LeMoore Naval Air Station in CA for training to become a plane captain. He was sent to the super carrier USS Enterprise CVN 65, working on the flight deck as a plane captain for an A-7 jet fighter and was honorably discharged in 1970.

Skip married Jacqueline “Jackie” Merrick (Nourse) on August 26, 1972, in Arcade, NY. Together they built a home on Farr Road where they lovingly raised their children, David and Julie; grandson, Dominick; and hosted many family and friends. Always thinking outside the box, he built a go-kart track in the backyard for his son, a tree-house for his daughter and grandson and many other “projects”; some less well thought out than others.

Skip attended Alfred State College of Technology Automotive Trades, where he would meet his mentor and lifelong friend, Dory Woolsey. Upon graduating he opened a garage in Belmont before deciding to return to Alfred State to become an Automotive Instructor and later Associate Professor and Department Chair, where he would have a successful career for 30 years, retiring in 2010. Some of his fondest memories were the 5 summers he traveled to Yellowstone National Park with his family where he worked for Yellowstone Park Service Stations (YPSS).

In retirement, Skip took great pleasure in philanthropy, bringing together two of his passions: helping Veterans and his love of motorcycles. He was a proud member of the American Legion Post 702 of Wellsville where he founded the Morrison-Hayes American Legion Riders. He served as Patriot Guard Ride Captain, member of the Honor Guard and was long-time Chairman of Allegany County’s American Legion Boys State committee along with many other selfless acts of service that are too numerous to list. Together with his wife, they made multiple trips to Bath VA Hospital and Nursing Home to visit Veterans.

Skip was always up for having fun, whether it be Poker night or a fishing trip to Canada with the “Guys”; camping with his wife and dog; traveling with his brother and sister-in-law or hanging out in Florida with his son, he would make friends wherever he went. His infectious smile could light up a room.

Survived by his bereaved children, David Merrick of Cape Coral, FL; Julie (Adam) Frolish of Warren, NJ; grandson Dominick Merrick of Cape Coral, FL; devoted brother Gene (Sheila) Boser of Cabot, AR; brother Jack Merrick of Rochester, NY; cherished niece LouAnn Conway of Bel Air, MD and several nieces, nephews, brother-in-laws and friends. In addition to his loving wife of 53 years, Skip was also predeceased by his beloved mother, Lucy Taylor Boser; father-in-law, Vinton Nourse; sister, Sally Bissell; stepfather Herman Boser and loyal sidekick, Rosco The Dog.

Friends are invited to call on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, from 5 to 7 pm to the J.W. Embser Sons Funeral Home of Wellsville, 34 West State Street. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday, March 6, 2025, at 11am at Immaculate Conception of Wellsville, 36 Maple Avenue. Full Military Honors will be accorded by the American Legion Post 702. Military burial will be Friday, March 7, 2025, at Bath National Cemetery at 11 am. In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made to the American Legion Post 702, 23 Jefferson Street, Wellsville, NY 14895. To leave online condolences please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com