Merrill Percelay, 89

PAWTUCKET, R.I. – Merrill Percelay, of Pawtucket, died peacefully surrounded by his loving family. He was the beloved husband of Sheela Percelay to whom he was married for 65 years. He was the son of Jacob and Frances Percelay, and lifelong resident of Pawtucket.

Merrill graduated from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, N.Y., and served as a commissioned officer during World War II. He graduated from Brown University in 1949, and later from the Harvard Business School SCMP Program. He was co-owner of Troy Yarn, a textile company in Pawtucket, and subsequently, co-owner of Craft Yarns. He and his wife were volunteers for the Citizen Democracy Corps, serving two months on small business economic development in St. Petersburg, Russia. He was an honorary board member of the Jewish Family Service Organization and recipient of the Jefferson Award for helping resettle Russian immigrants.

He was a master woodworker, a talented engineer and loved the sea. He was a man of unwavering integrity, a value he instilled in his three sons.

Above all, he loved his family. Along with his wife Sheela, he is survived by his son James (and wife Sabine), Bruce (and wife Elisabeth), and David (and wife Dr. Francine Vogler), and sisters Marion Pranikoff and Territa Percelay. He was predeceased by his brother Morris. He leaves four beloved grandsons.