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Provided by the family:
Baudino, Merlin James, 100 – passed away peacefully on April 29, 2021. Born in Calumet, Michigan, on July 2, 1920.
He was a graduate of Calumet High School, Class of 1939. Merlin, nicknamed “Flash”, was an all-around athlete, playing hockey, baseball and basketball.
Merlin was a World War II Veteran of United States Navy. Merlin served from 1942 – 1945, earning Bronze stars for his service as a member of the Naval Armed Guard Crew. Merlin served on both the American Steam Tanker, US Axtell J. Byles and later the US Black Rock, a V4-M-A1 tug. While on the US Black Rock, the Naval Crew was responsible for towing sections of the Mulberry Harbour and rescuing servicemen during the Normandy Invasion. While in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Morocco, Merlin was injury by a depth charge.
Later, Merlin worked at the U.S Naval Ordinance Park in Forest Park, Illinois, which was instrumental for building torpedos for the Navy.
Merlin married his love, Myrl Marian Haas of Chicago, IL on September 14, 1946.
Merlin and Myrl moved to Orlando where they resided since 1952.
Merlin worked in electronics and retired from NCR in 1982.
After retirement, Merlin & Myrl returned to the Keweenaw Peninsula, settling in Eagle Harbor overlooking Lake Superior. Where, together, they enjoyed summers for over 38 years.
He is preceded in death by his parents, John and Anita Baudino, and brother Alvin. He is survived by his wife of 74 years, Myrl Marian, daughters Anita (David) Fowler, and Mary (Will) Sulton, grandchildren: Chris (Christine), Mary (Jeff), Jacob (Megan) and Megan (Brian), and great-grandchildren: Ryan, Dylan, Colton, Cooper, Emma, Kora and Jaxson.
