Obituary
Mark Guy Merola Sr., 72 yrs. old of Oxford, FL, formally from The Villages, FL, passed away on Aug. 22nd, 2023. Mark was born in West Hartford, CT and resided in North Haven, CT for most of his life. He graduated from Chesire Academy for high school and attended St. Micheal’s college for a year in Vermont and graduated with an associate degree in sports medicine from Quinnipiac University. Mark married Janice Ann Parillo Merola on May 17th, 1974, in New Haven, CT at St. Bernadette Church. He owned his own business for 30 years in food wholesale and tobacco products, DeVito Bros., In North Haven, CT. He umpired softball for the greater New Haven area, he was in zoning/boarding for North Haven, CT, he was an athletic trainer for Quinnipiac University basketball team and New Haven blades, when the blades moved to Springfield, Mass.
Mark was also a member of the Elks club, Wallingford Country Club, and New Haven Country Club for many years. Mark enjoyed playing golf and being surrounded by all his buddies afterwards. He ran the Exconn’s golf group in The Villages, FL for 16 yrs and played with the Critters golf group in The Villages, FL for over 8 yrs. Mark loved every minute of it.
He is survived by mother, Pearl Knop Merola, wife Janice Ann Parillo Merola, son Mark G Merola Jr, and daughter Kimberly Ann Merola. He is preceded in death by Father Gaetano Merola.
Mark was a wonderful husband, son, and father. He was hardworking and provided for his family and loved ones. Mark loved life and the people who surrounded him. We will always remember the great memories we had with him and will remember all the love he had for us. He will be greatly missed not only by family but everyone that he was around and knew. Fly high and we will always love you and be in our hearts. Until we meet again!
Services will be held at Baldwin Brothers in Spanish Springs, 1008 Bichara Blvd., The Villages, FL on Sept. 14th, 2023 at 10am and celebration of life will be held at Red Sauce, 1000 Canal Street, The Villages, FL at 1pm.
Service
1008 Bichara Blvd. The Villages, FL 32159
Billy
You all have our most heartfelt condolences on the loss of Mark. I was saddened when Aunt Lucy told me what happened. Losing him was way too soon and just too sudden to fully comprehend. Mark & I were close in age so we were able to relate to things on the same plane and usually found humor in a lot of it. There were times when we were younger we would laugh so hard at things that our stomachs hurt or we got the hiccups. At the time, as a pre teen they were hilarious, and sometimes I would think back to a few and still have a chuckle. He was more athletic and competitive than me, there was a time when we both entered a softball throwing contest. My only favorite sport was baseball and I felt I could throw the ball pretty well. The field of throwers were eliminated down to just him and me. I offered him to go first out of courtesy a couple times but he was insistent that I go first. I threw, then he threw father than me and he won. I asked him why he was so insistent I go first, he said I just needed to see how far I had to throw! For me, a lesson well learned that I have never forgotten. This was one memory of many I had with him. He was an exceptionally good guy and a good cousin, he will be missed by Andy and me, I am sure the rest of the Merola family feels the loss too.
I trust remembering the good times you all had with him will surely bring you comfort.
Rip Cuz, Rip Mark
Nancy and Paul Popsuj
Your memories will keep you close.
I have a lot of memories of the whole family as a whole
He loved you all and my prayers are with you all in your time of grief
Love ❤️
Debbie Gilbert
Janice, Mark and Kim
Also family
He will greatly be missed
A wonderful person
Always smiling and cutting jokes
Loved his family so much
Prayers for you all
Love always
Debbie Gilbert