NORWICH – Merl A. Cox, 68, of Norwich, passed away on Thursday, June 30, 2011, at the University Hospital/Upstate Medical Center of Syracuse.
Born in Cortland in October of 1942, Merl was the son of Elmer and Florence Marvin Cox. He attended school in several communities, including Cortland, Rome, and Norwich, and worked as a farm hand in Herkimer and Mohawk before taking employment with the Art Scheer farm in Norwich. He also worked for the Norwich Knitting Mill, Rea-D-Pak, Wick Wire Foundry and Smith Corona in Cortland. Returning to Norwich again, Merl worked for the Raymond Corporation in Greene and Norwich Eaton Pharmaceuticals. The onset of his disability in 1981 ended his working years. Merl was a man who enjoyed hunting, fishing, and the outdoors, and loved dogs. He enjoyed spending time “shooting the breeze and engaging in stimulating conversation” at Benny and Millie’s Diner, now known as The Caboose, and at Eicke’s Restaurant.
In Norwich on April 3, 1965, Merl married Ella Mae Beckwith. He is survived by his wife, Ella Mae Cox of Norwich; and his children and their spouses: Bonnie and Steve Horton of Earlville, Lucinda and Paul Harrigan of Minoa, Crystal and Arthur Sisco of Norwich, and Tony and Amy Cox of Sherburne. Also surviving are Merl’s sisters and their husbands: Joan and Ralph Hitchcock of Chestertown, Yvonne and Edward Aldridge of Tucson, Ariz., and Carol and Charles Mitchen of the state of Maine; his brother, David Cox and wife Pat of Georgetown; 14 grandchildren, two great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Merl was predeceased by his sister, Eleanor Morehouse, and brothers Edward Ward, otherwise known as Jr., DeWitt Cox, Larry Cox, and William Cox.
Funeral services for Merl will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday from the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home. Interment will be at a later date in the West Oneonta Cemetery. Friends are invited to call at the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home on Saturday from 1-2 p.m.