Lee is survived by his wife, Sharon Riley Merkel and son, Mark A. Merkel (Andrea Creque Merkel) of Raleigh, NC and former spouse, Mary M. Merkel and sons, Carl Merkel (Carol Biedermann Merkel) of Denver CO, Brian Merkel of Whitesboro, NY, and Lee Merkel (Donna Rossiter Merkel) of Eagle CO. He is also survived by seven grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
Lee was born on August 30,1935 in Rochester, NY to Earle And Ruth Merkel. He was the seventh of twelve siblings; Earlene Newton, Guy Merkel, Wanda Cardillo, Bruce Merkel, Gerald Merkel, Ann Kirchner, and predeceased by Thomas Merkel, Gail Heidt, Una Merkel, Nancy Barone, and Dennis Merkel.
He graduated from Edison Technical High School in Rochester, and proudly served in the United States Army before eventually settling in Utica NY in 1971. Lee owned the Hess Gas Station on Genesee Street in South Utica from 1972 until 2010.
Lee was very active in the community. He was a lifetime member and served a term as President of the Utica Optimist Club, a member of the Free Masons Lodge #47, member of the Utica Maennerchor, and a longtime sponsor of South Utica Little League Baseball. Lee was an avid fisherman and sports enthusiast who had a religious-like devotion to the Syracuse Orange and his beloved Buffalo Bills.
Above all, Lee was a devoted father and provider who will be missed dearly by all.
We would like to thank Kindred Hospice of Oxford, NC for the care they provided to Lee during this difficult time. He also enjoyed spending time at the Millbrook Enrichment Center. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Dementia Alliance of North Carolina, 9131 Anson Way, Suite 206, Raleigh, North Carolina, 27615.
Visitation is scheduled for Thursday, October 11th from 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 300 Saint Marys Street, Raleigh, NC.
Following visitation, a 1:00 PM funeral service will be held at the Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral, 715 Nazareth St. Raleigh, NC. Following the service, Lee will be laid to rest at Oakwood Cemetery, 701 Oakwood Ave, Raleigh, NC.
Lee has requested six Buffalo Bills players as pall bearers so they can let him down one last time.
