Guy "Smiley" J. Merry

Guy J. "Smiley" Merry, 100, of Mount Dora, passed away Tuesday, February 23, 2016. Born in Athens, GA, he moved to Lake County, FL in 1925 from North Augusta, GA. Smiley was a graduate of Eustis High School and attended Stetson University on a music scholarship where he was a founding member of the Stetson Mad Hatters music group. He was a WWII Veteran serving in the U.S. Navy Seabees in the Philippine Islands. Smiley was owner of Merry Jewelers, a cornerstone of downtown Eustis since 1946. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Eustis; Past President of the Eustis Kiwanis Club, Eustis Chamber of Commerce, Lake County Chamber of Commerce, Alexander Springs Association; Past Commander of the American Legion Post 41, Past Chapter Chairman of the American Red Cross, and Florida Retailer of the Year for Leadership in 2005 . His daughter Judy will serve in his honor for his most recent award of Grand Marshal of the Washington's Birthday Celebration this Saturday. He enjoyed fishing and playing golf (5 holes in one). Smiley is predeceased by his Wife, Doris Merry. He is survived by his Sons - Guy Jackson "Jack" Merry, Jr. of Astatula, FL and Russell James "Jim" Merry of Tavares, FL; Daughter, and Judith P. "Judy" Merry of Mount Dora, FL; 5 Grandchildren and 3 Great-Grandchildren. Celebration of Smiley's life will be held at the Harden/Pauli Funeral Home, Eustis. on Sunday, February 28, at 2:00 PM. Please bring a story of Smiley to share. The family will receive friends from 1:00 PM prior to service. Memorial donations may be made to the Eustis High School Band Program, 1300 E. Washington Avenue, Eustis, FL 32726. Online Guestbook available at www.hardenpauli.com Arrangements by Harden/Pauli Funeral Home, Eustis.


DEATH OF PROMINENT CITIZEN AND CENTENARIAN
GUY “SMILEY” MERRY

EUSTIS, FL Thursday, February 25, 2016 – well respected business owner and community leader Guy “Smiley” Merry died Tuesday night at the age of 100.

Affectonately known as “Smiley” for his warm smile and sincere nature, Guy opened Merry Jewelers, a prominent downtown Eustis establishment, in 1946. He was a strong believer in civic engagement and remained active in nearly 20 organizations from the time he was a young man to well within his senior years. He received many newsworthy recognitions as a result. Born in Athens, Georgia on December 6, 1915, Guy’s parents moved their young family to Eustis where Guy learned to play the clarinet in the Eustis High School (EHS) band, fueling his love of music. Enjoying the ability to express himself through music, he later joined a 50-piece band that performed throughout Florida. Guy graduated from EHS in 1934 and was awarded a music scholarship to Stetson University in DeLand where he was in the founding group of Stetson’s Mad Hatters Band playing the saxophone. While at Stetson, Guy met his future wife Doris Eileen Currey; they married on March 9, 1936 and raised three children—Jack, Jim and Judy—in the local area. Guy joined the U.S. Navy Seabees in October 1943, spending two years in the Philippines where he also played saxophone in the Navy Band. Returning home to Eustis in 1946, Guy opened Merry Jewelers. His daughter Judy and granddaughter Merri continue to manage the business he began some 70 years ago. Guy was invited to be Grand Marshal of the 2016 GeorgeFest Parade in Eustis on Saturday, February 27. His daughter Judy will be fulfilling the honor on his behalf. Visitation with the family is scheduled for Sunday, February 28,from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. Friends are invited to share fond memories of “Smiley” during a Celebration of Life
Memorial Service immediately following visitation. All services to be held at
Harden-Pauli Funeral Home, 1617 South Bay Street in Eustis. Merry Jewelers will be closed until Tuesday, March 1, in memory of “Smiley.”