Obituary for David John Merli
David “Dave” John Merli, 48, a loving husband, stepfather, and son, and brother, passed away Sunday, July 19, 2020 in Fairfax, VA. His passing was unexpected, the result of a blood clot caused by prolonged bed rest while recovering from back surgery.
Born February 11, 1972 in Natrona Heights, PA to Beverly and John Merli, and raised alongside his older brother Dean and younger brother Darren. Dave was very active in the Boy Scouts of America earning the designation of Eagle Scout in March 1989.
Dave graduated from LaRoche College with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1994, and later moved to the Washington D.C. metro area to begin a career in sales. He resided in Alexandria, VA from 1998-2017 with his beloved wife, Pam Decker, and had recently resided in Bristow, VA with his wife Pam and Father-In-Law Gerald Decker.
Dave was a highly valued and loyal employee of the Print Services and Distribution Association (PSDA, acquired by SmithBucklin) (1994-2010) and SmithBucklin (2010-2020) . Dave was SmithBucklin’s Senior Sales Manager. With a lifelong love for cooking, Dave especially enjoyed his time working with the American Culinary Federation, developing personal relationships with chefs and cooking enthusiasts all over the world. As a respected business leader and friend, Dave touched the lives of so many people throughout his career at PSDA and SmithBucklin.
Dave was a cooking enthusiast, part-time chef, and family culinary master. Dave was known for going above and beyond to make any social gathering special. He often cooked enough food for an Army, and managed to do so with skill you’d only expect from a professional. Dave took great pride in cooking for his family and friends, one of his many admirable qualities.
Growing up in the Pittsburgh area, Dave was a die hard fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Pittsburgh Penguins, who provided him with great joy and several championship celebrations in his lifetime.
Dave was a charitable person, a shining light of hope and support for all those that had the pleasure of meeting him. Dave spent years supporting the Avon Breast Cancer Walk, providing his time and energy for a great cause, and positively impacting many lives along the way.
In 1998, Dave met the love of his life, Pam, and her two children, Chris and Matthew. He spent the rest of his life as a devoted partner and friend to Pam, and as a father to Chris and Matthew. Dave loved and supported his stepchildren as he would his own, there for every event and milestone achievement, and providing a role model in times when one was badly needed. Dave recently took on the role of Grandfather to Chris’s son, Cameron, a role that he excelled in, developing a relationship in a way that only “Papa Dave” could. Dave will be sorely missed by his family.
He is survived by his wife of 16 years Pamela Decker, his loving mother Beverly Merli, his brothers Dean and Darren Merli, his sister-in-law Lisa Merli, his niece and nephew Jenna and Dayton Merli, his stepchildren Chris Goings and Matthew Lipscomb, his daughter-in-law Amanda Goings, his grandsons Cameron and Jonah Goings, and a host of family and friends that loved him dearly. He was predeceased by his father John Merli.
Memorial services will be held Tuesday July 28, 1:00PM at Baker-Post Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 10001 Nokesville Rd., Manasass, VA 20110. The memorial service will also be webcasted by the funeral home.
Visitation will be held 12:00PM-1:00PM at the funeral home.
Please sign the guestbook at www.bakerpostfh.com
Born February 11, 1972 in Natrona Heights, PA to Beverly and John Merli, and raised alongside his older brother Dean and younger brother Darren. Dave was very active in the Boy Scouts of America earning the designation of Eagle Scout in March 1989.
Dave graduated from LaRoche College with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1994, and later moved to the Washington D.C. metro area to begin a career in sales. He resided in Alexandria, VA from 1998-2017 with his beloved wife, Pam Decker, and had recently resided in Bristow, VA with his wife Pam and Father-In-Law Gerald Decker.
Dave was a highly valued and loyal employee of the Print Services and Distribution Association (PSDA, acquired by SmithBucklin) (1994-2010) and SmithBucklin (2010-2020) . Dave was SmithBucklin’s Senior Sales Manager. With a lifelong love for cooking, Dave especially enjoyed his time working with the American Culinary Federation, developing personal relationships with chefs and cooking enthusiasts all over the world. As a respected business leader and friend, Dave touched the lives of so many people throughout his career at PSDA and SmithBucklin.
Dave was a cooking enthusiast, part-time chef, and family culinary master. Dave was known for going above and beyond to make any social gathering special. He often cooked enough food for an Army, and managed to do so with skill you’d only expect from a professional. Dave took great pride in cooking for his family and friends, one of his many admirable qualities.
Growing up in the Pittsburgh area, Dave was a die hard fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Pittsburgh Penguins, who provided him with great joy and several championship celebrations in his lifetime.
Dave was a charitable person, a shining light of hope and support for all those that had the pleasure of meeting him. Dave spent years supporting the Avon Breast Cancer Walk, providing his time and energy for a great cause, and positively impacting many lives along the way.
In 1998, Dave met the love of his life, Pam, and her two children, Chris and Matthew. He spent the rest of his life as a devoted partner and friend to Pam, and as a father to Chris and Matthew. Dave loved and supported his stepchildren as he would his own, there for every event and milestone achievement, and providing a role model in times when one was badly needed. Dave recently took on the role of Grandfather to Chris’s son, Cameron, a role that he excelled in, developing a relationship in a way that only “Papa Dave” could. Dave will be sorely missed by his family.
He is survived by his wife of 16 years Pamela Decker, his loving mother Beverly Merli, his brothers Dean and Darren Merli, his sister-in-law Lisa Merli, his niece and nephew Jenna and Dayton Merli, his stepchildren Chris Goings and Matthew Lipscomb, his daughter-in-law Amanda Goings, his grandsons Cameron and Jonah Goings, and a host of family and friends that loved him dearly. He was predeceased by his father John Merli.
Memorial services will be held Tuesday July 28, 1:00PM at Baker-Post Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 10001 Nokesville Rd., Manasass, VA 20110. The memorial service will also be webcasted by the funeral home.
Visitation will be held 12:00PM-1:00PM at the funeral home.
Please sign the guestbook at www.bakerpostfh.com