Obituary of Dale R. Meerdink

Dale R. Meerdink, 67, of Rome passed away on May 2, 2022, at St. Joseph's Health Hospital, Syracuse. He was born Rochester, NY, on August 25, 1954, son of the late Robert and Wilma McCoy Meerdink. Dale was a graduate of the Victor Central Schools class of 1972, and graduated with a Bachelors Degree of Psychology from SUNY Oneonta in 1976. In 1981, he married the love of his life and college sweetheart, Joan Amato, at the romantic site of Root Glen in Clinton, NY. Joan captured Dale's heart many years ago. "You are in my heart forever, Dale". Dale loved gardening, hiking and playing chess, where he competed in several tournaments. Above all, Dale loved to take his wife and children to Beaver Lake hiking followed by taking us out to dinner. We will also remember Dale's birthdays, when he took his family out and warned his children, "I hope you do not have too much fun!" He would claim he was taking us to the "Onion Farm" when actually he had multiple destinations in mind: miniature golf or swimming, then a hike at Pixley Falls or another park, followed by dinner out. Dale's family was the center of his universe. He was very proud of his children's accomplishments, Brett, who is a physics graduate student at the University of Georgia, and daughter Jasmine, a M.S. graduate in exercise science from Adelphi University. Dale supported them throughout their many academic and sporting endeavors. Surviving besides his loving wife Joan, are a son, Brett Meerdink, a daughter, Jasmine Meerdink, all of Rome. Also surviving are two sisters, Karen (Glen) Hansen, East Bloomfield, NY, Jan (Sal) Scotto, Gates, NY, a brother-in-law, Richard Amato, Lakewood Ranch, FL, a niece and nephews and a special family member Christina Amato, Lakewood Ranch, FL. He was predeceased by a sister and brother-in-law, Carol and Barry Davis and a niece, Kira Scotto. Visitation will be held on Saturday, May 7, 2022, from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., at the Nicholas J. Bush Funeral Home, Inc., 7751 Merrick Rd., Rome, NY. Private burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery. Memorial contributions in Dale's name may be made directly by check to: Beaver Lake Nature Center, 8477 Mud Lake Rd., Baldwinsville, NY 13027 To offer online condolences, please visit www.njbushfuneralhome.com