GREENWOOD, Merrill A.

Merrill A. Greenwood, 93, passed away December 27, 2003, in Phoenix, Arizona. He was born in Pelham, New Hampshire, on May 9, 1910, to Frank and Blanche Greenwood, the third of their six children. The Greenwood family moved to West Allis, Wisconsin, when Merrill was 13 years old. Due to poor health and family responsibilities, he left school upon completing the 8th grade. After several years of working in various jobs, he started his remarkable career with Coverall Cleaners, a local industrial laundry. He began doing jobs in the cleaning plant, was soon promoted to route sales and eventually rose to be both Sales Manager and General Manager, as well as becoming a co-owner of the company. When Coverall Cleaners was sold to American Industrial Service Corporation, he stayed on as Sales Manager until his retirement in 1976. Merrill was awarded an honorary degree from Marquette University and taught a sales and business course there for several years. He was a lifetime member of the Marquette Minutemen, a Toastmaster and a member of the Elks Club. He was a 4th Degree Knight with the Knights of Columbus, first as part of Council 3095 in West Allis and later as part of Council 2836 in Shawano, Wisconsin. He married his life's love, Marcella (Marcy) Cihasky, on October 5, 1935; they had four daughters, Carol Beck (husband Martin), Marilyn Ball (Leon), Colleen Rospond (Roger) and Maureen Amenda (Douglas). Their young family moved from West Allis to Wauwatosa, Wisconsin in 1950 and lived there for almost 35 years. Merrill and Marcy moved to their summer home in Cecil, Wisconsin in 1984 and moved year around to their winter home in Sun City West, Arizona, in 2001. He is survived by his adored wife of 68 years, as well as his precious daughters, 12 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Ralph and Douglas, sisters Irene Hall, Alice Botsch and Jeanette McManus and his granddaughter, Eileen Moritsch. His body will be cremated and the ashes interred at Holy Cross Cemetery in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. A memorial mass will be held at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 19002 N. 128th Avenue, Sun City West, AZ (623) 546-2767, with a luncheon to follow at the church hall. The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made in his name to either the Alzheimer's Association, (800) 272-3900, or the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, (800) 344-4867. He was a wonderful husband and father, loved by all who knew him for his compassion and generosity. Merrill will be missed by his family and many friends. Published in the Arizona Republic on 1/4/2004.