Daniel Calvin Merritt born on November 27, 1972, passed away peacefully in his sleep at his residence in Groveland Florida on November 16, 2025.

Dan was born in Bayshore NY and lived most of his life in West Islip NY. After graduating high school he completed an associates degree in Liberal arts at Suffolk Community College.

He worked for the Long Island Railroad as an associate conductor for a few years. He received an award for excellence in job performance for his discovery of an electrical malfunction resulting in a fire. He pulled the emergency break, got the passengers off of the car and went under the car to put out the fire with an extinguisher until the fire department arrived. He ultimately decided to leave the railroad as he felt it was not the path for him.

He then worked as an environmental chemist with his sister and was quickly promoted due to his impeccable work ethic. He was eventually offered a better position with a different environmental company. That job gave him the opportunity to work to work in different states, as well as, Scotland, Germany and Spain. Eventually he left that company to move to Florida to be with his family.

In 2022 his sister's fiancé asked him if he'd consider applying for a position to work with him at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Clermont. He started part time in maintenance and was ultimately promoted to maintenance and facilities supervisor. He loved working at Blessed Sacrament and really enjoyed working with many of the staff there.

Dan loved the country and the snow. He bought property in Vermont while working for the Long Island Railroad. He built a small cabin on the property with his own two hands. He dreamed of one day building a log cabin home and eventually moving there. However living with his family was more important to him so he stayed in Florida.

Dan was a very talented carpenter. He built shelving units for several family members, work benches, desks and bed frames.

Dan was a very devoted and loving son and is survived by his parents Charlotte and Gilbert Merritt. He is also survived by his sister Charlene who just adored and admired her big brother. He is survived by his aunts and uncles; his Uncle Tom (Donna) Darragh, his Aunt Peggy (Glen) Bernhard and his Uncle Dennis Rivera. He is also survived by his many cousins, Kelly Zatkowski, Kristen Darragh, Thomas (Michelle) Darragh, Meghan (Dominick) Darragh, Michael Darragh, Ryan Darragh, Kristie and Kerry Bernhard, Sarah Rivera, Dennis Rivera, Jason (Alisha) Rivera, Joshua (Amy) Rivera and Caleb Rivera.