Memorial Trees
A
Anonymous
October 03, 2024
Y
Your friends at Kastle Technologies
October 02, 2024
H
HHS class of 1974
September 30, 2024
Memorial trees planted for:
Benjamin Eugene Merica
<p>It is with great sadness that we mourn the passing of Benjamin “Ben” Eugene Merica, who passed away Thursday, September 26, 2024, at his home. Born January 7, 1956, in Harrisonburg, VA, he was the son of the late Benjamin Franklin Merica and the late Martha Washington Merica Hensley (Yeager). Ben was a devoted husband to Cayla, loving father to Jenny (Matthew), Jennifer (Ashley) and Rebecca (Seth) and a proud Pappy to Kane, Leitrim, Hunter, Caroline and Wrenegade. Ben is also survived by his sister, Kathy Barkdoll, and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by an infant brother.</p><p><br></p><p>Ben was an avid sports fan and could usually be found on a baseball diamond. Ben graduated from Hedgesville High School in 1974 where he played baseball, football, basketball, golf, ran track and cross country. After high school graduation, Ben played baseball and ran cross country at Potomac State College from 1974 to1976 and then played baseball at Henderson State University from 1977 to 1978. Ben was inducted into the Hedgesville High School Sports Hall of Fame and Potomac State College Athletic Hall of Fame.</p><p><br></p><p>After graduating from Henderson State University, Ben returned to teach and coach at his beloved Hedgesville High School. He taught and coached at Hedgesville High School for 40 years. He lived and loved 114 seasons of Eagle sports—28 seasons of baseball, 38 seasons of football, 1 season of volleyball, 7 seasons of wrestling, 9 seasons of boys’ basketball, 20 seasons of girls’ basketball, 10 seasons of softball and 2 seasons of golf. He also spent two seasons officiating for WVSSAC Basketball. After retiring from Hedgesville High School, Ben coached a season of softball at North Hagerstown High School. One of Ben’s greatest joys was sharing his love of sports and sportsmanship with his students and players. He often remarked “there is no place better than Hedgesville to teach and live.” </p><p><br></p><p> A celebration of life will be held Saturday, October 5, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. at Hedgesville High School. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Hedgesville High School Athletics in honor of Coach Merica. Memorial donations can be mailed to 109 Ridge Road North, Hedgesville, WV 25427 c/o Joy Vandine. Memorial donations will be used for baseball, softball and girls’ basketball.</p>January 7, 1956 - September 26, 202401/07/195609/26/2024
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