Merritt Tooker, 90, of Vero Beach, passed away on Feb. 24, 2014.
He is survived by his son, Merritt Tooker; daughters, Karen Larsen, Marilyn Salfelder (Robby), and Betsy Terjesen; seven grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 70 years, Betsy; brothers, John and George Tooker, and a sister, Betty Tooker.
Tooker was born in Staten Island, N.Y., and lived in Vero Beach for 41 years coming from Lake Mohawk, N.J. He was a graduate of Port Richmond High School, Staten Island, N.Y.
Tooker was a veteran of the United States Army serving during World War II. He was a salvage diver and was a part of the salvage team that raised the U.S.S. Normandy from New York Harbor.
He was an avid golfer and member of the Lake Mohawk Golf Club, Lake Mohawk, N.J. He was a member of the Sons of Norway, Ft. Pierce, and volunteered for over 20 years with the Vero Beach Humane Society Thrift Shop. Tooker was a diehard New York Giants fan.
Memorial contributions may be made to Humane Society of Vero Beach, P.O. Box 644, Vero Beach, FL 32961 in memory of Merritt Tooker. Visitation will be held from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m., Saturday, March 1, at Strunk Funeral Home, Vero Beach. An online guest book is available at www.strunkfuneralhome.com.
