Kenneth George Merkel of Quogue died on Thursday, January 26, 2017.
Known to friends as “Ken,” Mr. Merkel was born in New York and raised in Jamaica Estates before his family moved to Brookville on Long Island. He spent his summers with his grandfather, Henry Merkel, in Greenport. He attended the New York Military Academy before graduating from Hofstra University with a degree in business. He was an avid athlete, playing football and lacrosse but his real passion was golf.
Though he would forever lament weakness in his long game he was far too humble to admit his short game was amazing. He was a proud member of the National Guard and spoke often and fondly of his weekends at Floyd Bennet Field. After college he worked for a time for his family’s business, Merkel Meats, before starting a truck rental business that he grew and later sold to U.S. Freight.
He adored talking to and working with people and his easy-going manner led him to a lifetime career in the sales industry.
He is survived by his wife, Verna Merkel; his children, K.G. Merkel and Lara Merkel Ross; a son-in-law, Todd M. Ross; and three grandsons, H. Sebastian Ross, G. Fritz Ross and Xander Raphael Merkel, to whom he was affectionately known as “Poppie.”
A daughter, Alixandra Merkel, predeceased him in 2005. She and her father shared an undying (some might say obsessional, survivors said) love for the NY Giants football team.
Survivors said Mr. Merkel had a huge, kind heart and was liked by all who met him and loved by all who knew him.
A memorial service is set for Saturday, February 4, at 11 a.m. at the Westhampton Presbyterian Church. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Follett and Werner Funeral Home in Westhampton Beach.
on Jan 30, 2017