Allen Merritt was born February 28, 1922 on a houseboat in Norfolk, Virginia. He was the youngest of five siblings. The family migrated to south Florida in 1925 and lived onboard the houseboat during the 1926 hurricane. They were involved in charter boat fishing with a fleet of five boats which operated out of Freeport, New York and Fort Lauderdale on New River, Hillsboro Inlet fishing docks and later at Bahia Mar. It was while he lived in Freeport that he met and married Millie Carlson, who he shared 58 wonderful years, until her passing in 1999. Allen and his brother, Buddy, joined the “Family Business” which was a repair facility for marine vessels in Pompano Beach, FL that their parents had started in 1948. As the business grew, they needed help, so Allen & Buddy gave up their full-time charter fishing to join their parents in the business. It is there where Allen worked up until his passing on May 29, 2020. His life was devoted to his family, his work, fishing and his deep faith in Jesus Christ. His commitment in his faith became the foundation on which all things the family is today. For that we will be eternally grateful.
He is survived by his two children Roy Merritt (Karen) and Fran Pinnell (Lee), two grandchildren, Tara (Jason) & Allen, eight great-grandchildren, Carolyne, Katelyn, Roy III, Lilly, Elycia (Travis), Devin, Allison and Madilyn and three great-great grandchildren, Aiden, Olivia & Elijah. We were blessed as a family to have five living generations.
Donation in Allen’s memory may be made to Highlands Christian Academy, 501 NE 48th Street, Pompano Beach, FL 33064.
Due to the Coronavirus pandemic and out of respect to the wellbeing of Allen's family and visitors, services were held privately. It can be a great comfort to a grieving person or family to hear that others thought highly of their loved one, too. If you knew and admired Allen, be sure to let the family know by writing a few words in the "Memory" section of his obituary on the Kraeer - Fairchild Funeral Home website.
