Donald Keith Merrick, the youngest of John and Mary Merrick’s five sons, passed away on September 17, 2024. Survivors include brothers; John, Christopher (Patricia), and Steven (Elizabeth), along with seven nieces and nephews, Andrew, Charlotte, Kathryn, Emily (Michael), Sean, Patrick, and Erin (Nash). He was predeceased by his parents and brother David.
A late-night Christmas gift to the family, Don was born in Philadelphia at 9:30 p.m. on December 25, 1962. His father announced Don’s birth to his four brothers by stating “Now we have a basketball team.” He grew up in Falls Township’s Penn Square development and graduated from Pennsbury High School. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Rider University.
While at Rider, Don began working as a part-time computer operator at Princeton Insurance Company, where he progressed to working in systems programming and image processing. After seven years in the industry, Don became debilitated by mental health problems, causing him to leave to seek help. After some years of struggle, Don’s perseverance in addressing his issues resulted in finding doctors and treatments that allowed him to live an active and rewarding life.
Don volunteered for 25 years at the Reach Out Foundation of Bucks County. Reach Out’s mission is to provide a safe and supporting environment for individuals with a mental illness or addiction disorder and/or homelessness and to assist them in recognizing their strengths and the power to recover. Don performed IT support, office duties, and held Vice President and Secretary offices on the Board of Directors. He also served as Treasurer of Penndel Serenity. Don was quick to help those in need navigate the appropriate channels to find available aid from government and charitable organizations.
Don enjoyed spending time with his family, especially cutting the cake at his Christmas night birthday party. He delighted in the annual brothers’ August trip to Saratoga Springs, NY, for three days of horseracing and fellowship.
Don will be missed by his family, friends, and those who continue to be in need.
Visitation for family and friends will be held on Monday, September 30 from 8:30 to 9:30 am. followed by the funeral mass at St. Frances Cabrini Church, 325 S. Oxford Valley Road, Fairless Hills, PA. Interment will follow at St. Ignatius Catholic Cemetery, Yardley, PA.
Memorial donations may be made in Don’s name to the Reach Out Foundation of Bucks County, 152 Monroe Avenue, Penndel, PA 19047.
