On January 23, 2017, Eugene Hayes Merkert (92), passed away peacefully in his sleep, only days after his wife's funeral.  A love story's ending that shows their devotion of over 65 years of marriage. Father of seven children, Maureen Lalley (John), Hayes Merkert, Jr. (Molly Dixon), J. Tighe Merkert (Irene Syrnyk), Megan Hoffman (Bob), Bob Merkert (Kathleen Boyd), Tricia Bell (Brad) and Tom Merkert (Stephanie Schut); dedicated grandfather of nineteen grandchildren, Tricia,  Robert,  Michaela, Jennifer, Tara, John, Hayes, John Michael, Maggie, Ali, Josie, Robert, Keegan, Drew, Matthew, Patrick, Tommy, Morgan, and Natalie, ten great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. He is survived by a sister Joan Merkert Farrell of Jacksonville, FL.  Besides his wife Patricia, he is preceded in death by his sister Katherine Merkert Tully of Pelham, NY.

Gene was born August 7, 1924 in Brooklyn and grew up in Larchmont, NY, the first child of Eugene Charles and Ethel Hayes Merkert's three children.  Gene attended Iona Prep in New Rochelle where he played tennis, football and was a member of the Glee Club.  In May 1943, his senior year of high school, he was called into duty by the Naval Air Corps, attending training and flight schools at Colgate, University of GA, Memphis Naval Air Station and Corpus Christi.  Ultimately he was assigned to the Naval Air Station in Philadelphia where he equipped fighter planes with reconnaissance cameras and served as an aerial photographer for the Aeronautical Photographic Experimental Laboratory.

After the war, Gene attended University of Detroit on the GI bill where he met Patricia Tighe. They married in 1951 and moved to NY where Gene started his career with the Mosler Safe Company. In 1964 he was transferred to the Mid-Atlantic Region settling in the Chartwell neighborhood of Severna Park.  Gene and Pat enjoyed 65 years together, raising their seven children, entertaining, traveling and celebrating holidays with family and friends. He played golf and tennis into his 80s.  His love of sports and photography have been passed down to his children. In his retirement years, Gene, an avid woodworker, carved birds for each of his children and grandchildren. Four generations gathered on Christmas Eve for a tribute to Pat and Gene, as their children and grandchildren recited their favorite memories of them. Inseparable in life, they looked after each other with devotion, commitment, and loyalty. They remain inseparable in death, firmly standing on their belief in eternal life.

We are thankful for his example of faith, patience, and love.

The Merkert family will greet friends at the Barranco and Sons, P.A. Severna Park Funeral Home, 495 Ritchie Hwy, on Friday February 3, 2017, from 5-7. A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, February 4, 2017 at 3:00PM at Bay Area Community Church, 884 Chesterfield Road, Annapolis, MD 21401.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in his name may be made to Bay Area Community Church Ministries, 884 Chesterfield Road, Annapolis, MD 21401 or Hospice of the Chesapeake.

Online condolences may be made at www.barrancofuneralhome.com