Gerasim "Jerry M." Merculief

Mar 17, 1958 -

Apr 4, 2020

Gerasim Merculief, "Jerry M.," 62, was surrounded by his family when he passed away at his Wasilla, Alaska, home on April 18, 2020. Jerry M. was the fifth of 11 children born on March 17, 1958, on Saint George Island to Peter and Sarah Merculief.

Jerry M. was a proud Mt. Edgecumbe Brave graduating in 1977. Jerry loved that his five children graduated from Mt. Edgecumbe High School and that was his legacy. He later went on to join the Alaska National Guard, where he remained an active guardsman for 3 years. He later worked for the City of Saint Paul as the Airport Manager. When he wasn't working, he was a volunteer firefighter or helping his wife with ACE cargo. Jerry M. loved the community and its members, who he also considered his family. He was always willing to lend a hand, share a story or just make people laugh. He loved to play basketball, softball and volunteering for many community events. Retiring after 30 years as Airport Manager, Jerry moved to Wasilla with his family.

Growing up an altar boy on Saint George, Jerry was an active member of Saints Peter & Paul Russian Orthodox Church on Saint Paul Island and St. Innocent Russian Orthodox Cathedral in Anchorage. He instilled the faith in his children and grandchildren. Being a man of God, Jerry passed during Holy Week to meet our Maker. Even knowing when his time was coming, Jerry would say, "I cry for my kids, not for me."

Funeral services will be held at the St. Juvenaly & His Companion Orthodox Mission officiated by Father Timothy Kolb on May 8, 2020, at 12 p.m. The burial will follow immediately after at the Pioneer Cemetery in Palmer. Sadly, due to current quarantine restriction, the service will be for immediate family only. The family asks that donations be made to the St. Juvenaly & His Companion Orthodox Mission in Jerry's name.

Jerry is survived by his loving wife of 30-plus years, Marva; daughters, Megan Merculief-Spud (Tyler), Ariel Stermer (Richard), Tylyn Merculief (Donovan) and Jordyn (Dimitri); and son, Ermogen Merculief. His grandchildren were his pride and joy. Blake, Ava, MaKenzie, Ronin, Madelynn and Dylan will miss their Papa very much. He is also survived by his siblings: Anthony, Elizabeth, Theresa, Richard, James, Jason, June, Jeffrey and Judy. Mother-in-law, Florence Stepetin, also remained by his side and was a source of comfort and strength for him. Jerry was preceded in death by his father, Peter Merculief; mother, Sarah Merculief (Prokopiof); and brother, Pat "Charlie, Merculief.