Merritt J. Fish

Merritt Fish, 87, of Lake City, passed away on Saturday, September 20, 2025, at Fairview Manor surrounded by his loving family. 

He was born on May 12, 1938, a son to the late Kleno and Katherine (Mastella) Fish. 

Born in Girard on Rice Avenue, Merritt was immediately motivated to work as a youth. His grandfather manufactured baseball bats in his workshop named "Bunker Hill", where a young Merritt would help in making bats used in both Major and Minor Leagues; some allegedly used by Babe Ruth himself. At sixteen years old, he and his friends embarked on an adventure out West, hopping from one train rail to the next after having planned out their trip on maps just before summer break. He had reason for pause in Arizona, where he became a member of the Clyde Beatty and Cole Brothers Circus. After spending a few years travelling the county in the circus’ route, he returned home and began a career in construction. Merritt began with Moss Home Improvement as a contractor and later joined the Local 81 Carpentry Union, where he stayed a member for the next 50 years.  

Merritt did everything that he could, himself. Never one to sit still, he was always looking for his next project. He was continually renovating his home on Maple Avenue where he constructed a beautiful block garage and an addition. He also was a very capable mechanic - helping his children and others that had car troubles as well as tearing apart and reassembling a 1975 Ford that he was very proud of. After retirement, Merritt and his wife traveled the country in an RV, enjoying life on the road. He enjoyed fishing on local creek beds as well as in Lake Erie. He was a long-time member of First United Methodist Church in Erie. Merritt also volunteered his time with Ramps of Hope, helping to construct handicap accessible ramps around the area. 

In addition to his parents, Merritt was preceded in death by a son, David Fish; sister, Mary Howard; brother, Kleno Fish; and two grandchildren, James and Amber Smith. 

He will be greatly missed by his family which includes his wife of over sixty-six years, Barbara (Noyer) Fish, whom he married January 24, 1959; daughters, Janice Fox (Joe), Sherry Fish, Lisa Erickson (Vondell), and Denise LaPierre (Todd); son, Douglas Fish; sister, Kathy Hnath; brother, William Fish; grandchildren, Cameron Fish, Richard Foes, Tabatha Foes, Jayden Holmes, Ryanne LaPierre and Juliana LaPierre; as well as a great-grandchild, Draven Foes. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 707 Sassafras Street, Erie, PA 16501.

A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, September 26, 2025, at 11:00 am at the First United Methodist Church, 707 Sassafras Street, Erie and will be officiated by Bob Trask. Funeral Arrangements are under the direction of Edder Family Funeral Home, LLC. 

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