Read Russell Gregg Merrill's Obituary & Leave Condolences

In memory of

Russell Gregg Merrill

New Smyrna Beach, Florida, USA; and San Diego, California, USA

October 12, 1947 - October 12, 2019

Oct 12, 1947 - Oct 12, 2019

Help keep everyone in the know by sharing this memorial website.

Share

Photo

Russell Gregg Merrill, a long-time resident of San Diego, California, passed away unexpectedly in his New Smyrna Beach, Florida home and was found on October 12, 2019, which would have been his 72nd birthday. He left behind his many friends, two brothers and extended Florida family, who will find comfort with faith in God's promise of an assurance of pardon and eternal salvation for believers, that Russell is resting in his heavenly home with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Russell was born in Nashua, New Hampshire. He grew up in Milford, NH as the youngest of three sons born to Robert Gregg Merrill and his wife, Thelma Boulter Merrill, both deceased. He is survived by his two older brothers, James Robert Merrill and his wife Ruth, formerly of Daytona Beach, Florida, and recently moved to Hamilton, Montana, and William Edward Merrill and his wife, Sherry, of Port Richey, Florida. He is also survived by his two nieces (daughters of James Merrill), Deborah Merrill, and Christine Schwab both of Milford, NH, and Christine's 4 daughters, Amanda, Kendall, Ryleigh and Peyton. Russell earned a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of New Hampshire and he completed graduate studies at UCLA in Business, Bio-Sciences, Health and Nutrition. Though Russ never married and had no children of his own, he was loved dearly by his family, newly found friends in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, and and his many close, lifelong friends in the San Diego, CA area. It was there where he decided to settle down, making San Diego his permanent home. Russell was an entrepreneur at heart, and became an independent commercial real estate broker, owning and operating the Merrill Group, and Vitaz International, Inc. for nutritional supplements and all natural soap products. In addition to his business pursuits, Russell was very health conscious and diligently kept a steady workout regimen to maintain his strength and agility that allowed him to continue his athletic pursuits. Russell had always been a competitive athlete, participating in a variety of sports, most recently in long distance road bike racing. Growing up in New Hampshire, he became an avid downhill snow skiing racer and trainer in his earlier years. He loved sports and had the reputation of being a bit of a "dare devil" when it came to physical, athletic challenges, especially downhill skiing and bicycle road racing. Russ had even at one time owned a race horse named "Naturally Gifted", and he enjoyed equestrian jumping and racing. Just recently he tried his hand at riding motocross dirt bikes for fun, and truly enjoyed it. With the same intensity and gusto he had for athletics, Russell also had a big heart and never hesitated to help others in need, often going out of his way to lend a hand or a shoulder. A glimpse of Russell's life could not be complete without also mentioning his very best canine friend, "Alex", who, as Russ always said, "was like a son" to him. If we seek to find a spark of light from the tragedy of Russell's untimely death, we must look to God, who, through our sadness, has revealed from those who knew and loved Russell Merrill, new connections to brothers and sisters in Christ, stretching from the East Coast to the West Coast. We love you and miss you Russell...rest in peace.

Order a beautiful PDF you can print and save or share.

Get the PDF

Get notified when new photos, stories and other important updates are shared.