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06/30/2014 12:00 AMWilliam Merico, Sr., 91, of New Haven, passed away June 24. He was born March 18, 1923, in West Haven to Luigi and Rosa (Piccioli) Merico. He is preceded in death by his parents; his wife June (Daley) Merico; his sister Viola (Merico) DeMusis; and his infant brother Augusto Merico. William is survived by two children, William Merico, Jr., (Lori) of New Haven, and Dianne (Merico) Flynn (widow of Robert Flynn, Sr.) of Clinton; grandchildren Robert Flynn, Jr., Kristy Manning (William), and Devan Merico (Michael Lavorgna); and three great-grandchildren, Marcellus, Perseus, and Iris Manning.
William (Bill) served during World War II as a corporal in the Army Air Corps, assigned as a radio-operator/gunner on a B-24 Liberator. He received his radio schooling at Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and gunnery training at Yuma, Arizona. He was a member of the 449th Bombardment Group stationed at Grottaglie Field in Italy, flying 50 missions into Germany. Upon his return, Bill was active in the Ground Observer Corps, receiving an award for 2500 volunteer hours as the night supervisor. Bill was also an active member of the Philip J. Brady Post 107 of the American Legion, serving as both commander and finance officer.
Bill was employed as an industrial engineer for Geometric Tool in New Haven for 33 years, retiring in 1983. He was also active in local politics and, with his wife, started the “Saturday Night Canteen” for high school boys and girls, as well as sports teams and activities for children.
The family received friends on June 29 at the Clancy Funeral Home, 43 Kirkham Ave., East Haven. A funeral procession left Clancy Funeral Home on June 30 for a Mass of Christian burial in St. Francis Church, 397 Ferry Ave., New Haven. Committal followed at St. Lawrence Cemetery with military honors. Contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, 4899 Belfort Rd., Suite 300, Jacksonville, FL 32256, in memory of Mr. William Merico, Sr. For an online obituary, please visit www.ClancyFuneralHome.com.