John Anthony Merolla, 85, of Warwick, passed away on Sunday, June 11, 2023 at home surrounded by his loving family. He was the devoted husband of Elaine Anne (McKeever) Merolla. Born in Providence, he was the son of the late John and Olympia (Narducci) Merolla.
John was a graduate of Mount Pleasant High School in Providence. He received his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Rhode Island and his Master’s Degree from Providence College. During his studies he played both high school and college football as a center. While attending both High School and College John proudly served in the Rhode Island Army National Guard.
After college John went on to teach in several locations to include Central Falls High School (1961), Johnston High School (1963), Providence Temple Street School (1968) and Providence Pleasant View School (1971). John was one of the first teachers hired for the newly opened Pleasant View School where he established the Adapted Physical Education Program for children. John retired from teaching in 1999 with 38 years of service.
In addition to teaching John coached High School Football from 1961 to 2008. Serving as an Assistant Coach at Hendricken High School, Head Coach at Johnston High School and Assistant Coach Central High School. In 1987 John was appointed as the Head Coach for Mount Pleasant High School where he remained until his retirement in 2008.
Of all Johns football victories, he is most recognized and appreciated by his peers for his off-field victory in the court case Merolla vs City of Providence; Providence School Department; Providence School Board; Employees Retirement Board of Rhode Island. The court ruled in John’s favor and ordered school systems across the State of Rhode Island to reappoint experienced High School coaches after they had been unjustly removed for 2 seasons.
Alongside his wife Elaine, he is survived by his beloved children, Evangeline M. LaPlant (Robert) of Warwick, Elaine M. May (Michael) of Warwick, Kyle M. Merolla (Jovanna) of Holland, MA, Katie-lyn J. Merolla of Warwick, and Meghan J. Sheffield (Hiram) of West Greenwich, and his cherished grandchildren, David, John, Emily, Aidan, Zoe, Seamus, and Penelope. He was the brother of the late Amedeo Merolla (Norma).
John was known by all to be a generous, kindhearted man who genuinely made everyone feel valued and welcome while in his company. As a lifelong Rhode Islander it was often said that there was not a place that he could go where he wouldn’t run into a familiar face or strike up a conversation with a stranger only to find a common connection from his past. He valued his time with his family to the fullest and spent time fishing, boating, golfing, and skiing with his children and grandchildren.
Visitation will be held at the Funeral Home on Thursday, June 15, 2023 from 4:00PM-8:00PM.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend his Funeral on Friday, June 16, 2023 at 8:45AM at THE URQUHART-MURPHY FUNERAL HOME, 800 Greenwich Avenue, Warwick with a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 10:00AM at St. Gregory the Great Church, 360 Cowesett Rd. Warwick. Interment will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery, West Greenwich.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in his memory to: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
www.murphyfuneralhomes.org
