Daren Robert Merrill

Daren R. Merrill, 61, of Endicott, New York, passed away peacefully on May 25, 2026, after a courageous battle with Frontotemporal Dementia. He entered eternal rest surrounded by the love of his wife, Michele; stepdaughters, Taylor and Sophia; sister-in-law, Laurie; and dear friend, Lisa.

Born on April 27, 1965, Daren was the beloved son of the late Robert "Bob" and Helen "Maureen" Merrill.

He is survived by his devoted wife, Michele Merrill; his children, Rachel Merrill, Emily Merrill, and Robert Merrill; his stepdaughters, Taylor Rosko and Sophia Rosko; his mother-in-law, Karen Honnick; his siblings, Erin Merrill (Sue) and Clancy (Jennifer) Merrill; his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Jim and Laurie Bendick; friends Greg and Lisa Hacker and Eric Yetter; beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins; his Owego coffee group friends; his gracious and loving Stu’s family; special neighbors Paul and Sheila Blume and all those fortunate enough to have known his kindness and warmth.

Daren was a proud graduate of Owego Free Academy and Nazareth College, where he formed many lifelong friendships and proudly considered himself part of the unforgettable “B” team. Throughout his career, he traveled extensively around the world for work, embracing every opportunity to connect with people and experience new places.

Above all else, Daren was known for his selfless nature, enormous heart, and genuine love for people and life, often saying he was “the luckiest guy in the world.” He believed everyone had a story worth sharing and rarely missed the chance to strike up a conversation with a stranger, wanting each person he met to feel heard and valued.

Daren had a deep love for his wife, children, and stepdaughters. He was passionate about cycling and mountain biking and found great joy outdoors. Music also brought him happiness and he was rarely without his harmonica, always ready to play a tune wherever he went. Some of his happiest moments later in life were spent with his wife, Michele, watching sunsets over Oneida Lake in Sylvan Beach. No matter how many sunsets he saw, he remained in awe of the beauty each one brought.

Daren fought a long and difficult battle with Frontotemporal Dementia with strength and dignity, supported throughout by the unwavering love and compassionate care of his wife, who remained by his side through every stage of his illness.

Daren hoped those who knew him would remember to slow down, admire the beauty around them, and never miss the opportunity to connect with another person — because, as Daren believed, everyone has a story worth hearing.

In keeping with Daren’s wishes, cremation will take place, and a Legacy Celebration will be held on Sunday, May 31, 2026, from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Stu’s Place.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to an organization supporting Frontotemporal Dementia research or to Right Beside You end of life doulas, Owego NY. Michele would also like to extend heartfelt thanks to the entire Guthrie Hospice team as well as Audra Marks and Sonya Bement, for the compassionate care, kindness, and support they provided during Daren’s final days.