North Chili, NY – Richard “Rich” Merriam, 63, of North Chili, NY passed away peacefully surrounded by his wife and children on February 22, 2019 after a short battle with cancer.
Rich was born in Lawton, Oklahoma on April 2, 1955, a son of the late Donald and Joan (Weather) Merriam. On June 30, 1979, he was married to Lynn (Volkmuth) Merriam.
Survived by his wife of 39 years, Lynn Merriam of North Chili; his children, Kristin (Jeff) Merriam of Wyoming, Richie (Lindsey) Merriam of North Chili, Donald Merriam of North Chili, Melissa (Rich) McCarthy of Clarence, Steven Merriam of Rochester and David Merriam of Rochester; his grandchildren, Alexis, Olivia, Tim, Emma, Hannah, Richie and Colton; and brother, Douglas Merriam of Rochester.
He graduated from Greece Olympia School in 1973. He went on to receive his bachelor’s degree from Brockport College. Rich worked over 25 years as a truck driver and retired from NEMF in 2015. Prior to driving truck, he taught technology at Edison Tech in Rochester, NY.
Rich was an avid runner in the Rochester community and also was a national caliber race walker. He enjoyed riding motorcycles, dirt bikes and snowmobiles. He also loved water sports, watching and going to the car races and spending time with his family. Rich and Lynn enjoyed traveling to Jamaica and spending time by the ocean.
A visitation will be held on Thursday, February 28, 2019 at 11AM at The Chapel of Peace Mausoleum at Riverside Cemetery, 2650 Lake Ave, Rochester, NY 14612. A Funeral Service will be held following the visitation at 12pm. Interment will follow at the Riverside Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Verona Street Animal Society, PO BOX 22874, Rochester, NY 14692.