DAY, MERLE S. “BUD” died August 27, 2014 at age 90
Bud was born in Canada on July 16, 1924 and immigrated to the United States with his parents in the early 1930’s. He graduated from Public School #45 in Buffalo, NY and Buffalo Technical High School.
Mr. Day served in the U.S. Army for three years and was on active duty for two years in Europe during World War II. He graduated from Clarkson University, Potsdam, NY in Mechanical Engineering; and also studied at Canisius University, Buffalo, N.Y. working towards a Masters in Business Administration.
Bud was a long time Presbyterian and served as a Ruling Elder at Knox Presbyterian Church in Kenmore, NY and Trinity Presbyterian Church, Clearwater, FL. He was a Resting Elder at Lakeside Community Church of Tarpon Springs, FL.
Bud was an avid enthusiast and competitor in cars, motorcycles, and sailboats. He was a Life Member of the Society of Automotive Engineers International and served as chairman of the Western New York section and co-founder of the North Florida section. He was a charter Life Member of: the American Motorcycle Association; Life Member of the Florida Engineering Society and the National Association of Professional Engineers.
Mr. Day was a long time member of West Side Rowing Club of Buffalo, N.Y., and Niagara Sailing Club Grand Island, N.Y. He was a member of the Windjammers of Clearwater, FL. Past memberships included the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and the Institute of Aeronautical Sciences.
Mr. Day and his family moved to Clearwater in 1967. He is survived by his beloved wife of 65 years, Marion; daughter Lynda (Craig) Martin, Syracuse, N.Y.; son Gary, Clearwater, FL; granddaughter Kara (Eric) Beasley, Brookline, MA; step grandchildren Laura Martin with fiance Joseph DiCenzo, Buffalo, NY and Craig Martin Jr., Skaneateles, NY; and newborn great grandson, Ethan Jack Beasley, Brookline, MA
Graveside services will be at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell on Nov.14, 2014 at 11:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in honor of Merle S. Day to
Suncoast Hospice Foundation 2675 Tampa Rd, Palm Harbor, FL 34684 or www.thehospice.org
Veterans Funeral Care
727-524-9202
What a full and happy life he enjoyed…..he will be missed.
Great mentor and friend. I am blessed to have known him. Thankful for the time he invested into my life.
It was my honor to only know Bud for a short time. I soon saw what a wonderful human being he was. I loved being with Bud and enjoyed his great sense of humor. The world lost a great man.
Bud was wonderful friend and mentor. I was “blessed” having known him for 42 years. His humor, wisdom, and friendship will be missed by all of us who had the good fortune of personally knowing him.
Feel privileged to have known Bud. Great sense of humor.
Dear Bud, Old friend. You will be surely missed. Lunch at “Papas”, our favorite meeting place will forever be remembered. A fond salute to you on your journey.
pnm
It was my priviledge to know and work with Bud for more than ten years. Bud and I shared our journey of faith experiences and I learned a great deal from him. He was truly a member of the “Greatest Generation”; I will miss him and we all would do well to live our lives as Bud did.
I hope our prayers lift you up Marion, because I’m sure you have a tremendous void in your life. Bud was such a joyful person and welcomed us to the Isle of Sand Key and made us feel at home. I still remember the wonderful lunch we had at your home. Bob and I have spoken of you both often and are sorry we lost track of you. We now live in Safety Harbor. Please know we care.
I hope our prayers lift you up Marion, because I’m sure you have a tremendous void in your life. Bud was such a joyful person and welcomed us to the Isle of Sand Key and made us feel at home. I still remember the wonderful lunch we had at your home. Bob and I have spoken of you both often and are sorry we lost track of you. We now live in Safety Harbor. Please know we care.
Tom and I were special friends of Bud and Marion for 60+ years. He was a spiritual leader in His church, always an encourager, known for his and Marion’s hospitality. I will miss his singing and whistling happy tunes and his famous sneezes. Moments I will cherish:
Sunny days @ Sherkston Beach, Canada. Cold and rainy @ Healy (time for games), Warm & sunny(jumping into the cold lake),fall and Thanksgiving @ the mtn house and the Grove Park Inn. More wonderful memories on Greyston St. in Palm Harbor. You were special & unique. Love & God Bless.
Bud Day was and is a great blessing to the men of Lakeview Community Church (LCC). Bud was an enthusiastic member of our Men’s Group for many, many years. And true to form, Bud was always promoting activities that we could do to bless others. Bud always aspired to “do more” and “be more Christ-like” in all that he did. Yet, little did Bud know that his Christ-like selflessness was already an enormous inspiration to the men at LCC that he so abundantly blessed. Bud is already sorely missed, but we know that he has gone ahead of us and rests comfortably in the loving arms of a Savior that he so dearly loved. Bud: thanks for the inspiration you were by your words, actions, prayers, and love for others. I can’t wait to see you again! Love in Christ, your friend, Dean
I will really miss Bud. He mentored and influenced so many people including my son, Jon, for which I am extremely grateful. He was an inspiring example to me of someone who made the most of his days on earth to use his unique gifts for the glory of God. I know his work on earth was completed and his worn out body made it time for him to enter Heaven with Jesus but this world lost a “light” in his home going and he will not be forgotten. He left his imprint on my life and the life of my family. Love you Bud Day and looking forward to seeing you again some day.
We always shared a joke and we liked to laugh. Bud was always willing to help share his insights with others. I got to spend a brief moment with him when he was in hospice and he was secure in his faith and looking forward to walking with Jesus soon. His unwavering confidence in the future, that he walked in faith day by day, will always be an inspiration.
Bud Day introduced me to the “Outdoor Greeting” challenge at Lakeview Church many years ago and taught me through his example. I’ll always remember Bud for his dedication to the Church and his exemplary teaching. He is sorely missed.
It was truly a blessing to have met Bud when I first turned my life over to Christ a few years back. Bud is a shining example to me of what it means to reflect Christ. I called upon Bud for his advice several times, sometimes when I was in great need of advice or encouragement, and Bud was there for me every time, with great advice and support, and his sardonic wit as well. I miss Bud but he will always an inspiration for me and I look forward to being with him again.
To an admired Christian soldier, one who stood strong until he was called home. Bud will be missed but knowing he is in the kingdom with HIM, is the glory.
Bud was a wonderful human being dedicated to pleasing God. By word and deed. he strove to to be a better disciple of our Lord Jesus Christ. I thank God for the privilege of knowing him. He touched my life and our meeting and friendship has made me want to be a better Christian. I thank you Bud, my Brother in Christ.
Dear Marion, I just wanted to write to tell you that I am so sorry to hear of Bud’s passing. I feel badly for all the people like myself who knew and loved him. Bud was one of those characters who is unforgettable. You always knew what Bud was thinking. He was an inspiration to those of us who were with him at the Monday night men’s group. Bud loved the Lord and had a heart for people he knew who had not yet come to saving faith in our Jesus. Right now he is with the Lord and the many saints that he knew who had gone on before him. I do look forward to the day that I too walk through the Heavenly Gates and see Bud there as part of my welcoming committee. What a glorious day that will be!
What a wonderful friend and neighbor Bud was to us. He was such a fun, vibrant, talented and wonderful soul. He was a great example of a life well-lived! Such a good Christian man, loving husband, father and friend to so many. He was always willing to lend a hand or a piece of advice, and we were lucky to have benefitted from his generosity and wisdom. We loved Bud and do love Marion, two of the best we’ll ever meet. We are so sorry we cannot be there on the 14th to attend his service, but we will be there in spirit. We miss Bud greatly, but we shall never forget him and are forever lucky to have been his friends. God Bless a very special man.
I was blessed to know Bud. Bud and Marion invited me to sit with them the very first time I attended Lakeview Community Church. They made me feel very welcome and came to be close friends. Bud was a pillar in the church, including greeting almost every Sunday for years, and he greeted people by name and usually said something funny. My husband and I miss him very much and will remember his kindness, his Christian witness, and his delightful stories.
Dear Uncle Bud, Thanks for all the smiles and laughter you spread around any room that you were in. Thanks for bringing Lynda and Gary into our world, and for loving Aunt Marion so much. You will be sorely missed. Until we meet again, much love to you. Your niece, Laurie
Tried to leave a comment previously, and it didn’t work. So, here goes, again. Bud was the best. When we first met him he said, “Well, I’m your new neighbor, whether you like it or not!” WE LIKED! He was so giving, funny, helpful, smart, talented, interesting, and just all around fantastic. We loved Bud and do love Marion. We, as new neighbors on Greyston St. a few years ago, couldn’t have asked for any better friends or neighbors. They were very welcoming and delightful company. We treasure many good times with them and are most happy that we have had the privilege to know them and get to be their friends. We miss Bud greatly on Greyston Street, but, somehow, we feel like he’s still there checking on us. God Bless you, Bud.