Obituary of Anthony Merkl

Anthony E. Merkl of South Orange passed away at home on Saturday, June 30, 2007. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a gathering at the Preston Funeral Home, 153 So. Orange Ave., South Orange, on Monday, July 2 from 5 to 8 p.m. A Memorial Mass will be offered at Our Lady of Sorrows Church, 217 Prospect St., South Orange, on Tuesday, July 3, at 11 a.m. Born in St. Paul, Minn., Mr. Merkl moved to the east coast following his military service. In 1968, he and his wife, Jeanette moved from New York City to South Orange with their four children. He graduated from St. Thomas University in St. Paul, Minn., and received his masters degree from the Columbia University School of Library Science. He was director of the South Orange Public Library for 19 years. He also worked at the Seton Hall University Library, the Fordham University Library and the NY Times Library. Tonys lifelong avocation was music. Every Saturday afternoon, he could be found in his favorite chair listening to the opera live at the Met, and most evenings were spent playing the piano. Tony attended the Juilliard School of Music and directed or sang in choirs for most of his adult life. He was a veteran of World War II, achieving the rank of 2nd lieutenant in the U.S. Army, serving in the European Theater. Tony is survived by his wife of 49 years, Jeanette and his four children, Anne McCann and her husband, Joseph and their family; Christine Baral and her husband, Jerry and son, Glenn; Thomas Merkl and William Merkl; Tonys brothers, Joseph and Bernard and their families and sister-inlaw, Elaine and her family and brother-in-law, Frank and his family. In lieu of flowers, contributions to Our Lady of Sorrows Music Ministry would be appreciated.