Greg Capra
Andy and his beautiful wife, Eleanor, are two the brightest people we ever met! Absolutely loved them! You two were made in Heaven!
So grateful the Merritt’s came into our lives!🙏🏻
Birth date: Jul 17, 1939 Death date: Nov 2, 2019
Andy Merritt, age 80, died peacefully Saturday, November 2, 2019 at E. T. York Haven Hospice Center several days after a fall. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Eleanor; son Kurt Merritt (Jan), daughter Karen Merritt (Elliot Read Obituary
Andy and his beautiful wife, Eleanor, are two the brightest people we ever met! Absolutely loved them! You two were made in Heaven!
So grateful the Merritt’s came into our lives!🙏🏻
I met Andy over 20 years ago in Colombia. I have to say meeting Andy has been one of rhe most precious gifts in life. Thanks to him (and Eleanor) I managed to start my graduate studies in Gainesville. Soon after arriving he helped me move furniture, look for a rental apartment and get installed. Through the years Andy, Eleanor and family were always there, an extension of family away from my home country. Always a helping hand, a smile, a smart advise or a clever joke I knew he was there. His vast and varied knowledge, experienced traveler, made him a perfect conversation partner. It was always a pleasure to speak with him. From Gator basketball to hydropower projects in Colombia, I always learned. A world of admiration to such an exemplary great human being, husband, father, grandfather, friend, profesional. GRACIAS Andy, larga vida!, tu presencia perdura!! (Andres, Renata, Mateo, Isabela)
I was fortunate to know Andy through my friendship with his son, Glen (Hutch). Because of Andy and Eleanor’s generosity I was invited to ride from central Texas to Glendale, Arizona for the 2006 Florida vs Ohio State national championship football game. During the trip we shared many laughs and I was able to be a party to Glen and Andy’s banter and roughhousing. It was a special relationship they shared and I was able to glean what terrific pieces of Andy had stuck to Hutch and helped make him the man he is. A walloping sense of humor, super fandom for the Gators, gusto for life, and a welcoming spirit that automatically made me feel like part of the family were foremost of these. The Gators beat those buckeyes and we had a whale of a time. I also had the privilege of visiting the Merritt home in Gainesville several times and benefiting from Andy and Eleanor’s great hospitality. Visiting a few years later after Andy’s stroke I was saddened by the way that event had robbed him of his mobility and some of his deeper wit. However, his sparkle, humor, and welcoming nature were still on full display and I was glad to have spent that time too. I know that he worked and fought valiantly all these years since the stroke, which had to have been exhausting for him. I am so pleased that he was able to see his grandkids grow and thrive and that they were able to delight in such a grandfather. My best to the Merritt clan during this difficult time. Shine on, Andy!