C.R. "Rick" Merolla passed away peacefully in Las Cruces on April 3, 2017. Rick was born on November 8, 1931 in New York City. He grew up in the Bronx and joined the U.S. Army in 1950. In 1953 he married Sigrid Nagel and they remained married until her passing. Rick attended New York University on the G.I. Bill, earning his MBA in 1962. A life-long banker, he began his career as a trainee with the Chase Manhattan Bank before retiring in 1988 as president of the Bank of Long Island. Post retirement, he served as a personal financial planner and advisor, a professor of the Hofstra University MBA program, as well as Suffolk County (New York) Commissioner of Economic Development. Rick was active in various civic organizations including being one of the founding members of the Long Island Philharmonic. He was also a life-long supporter the Boy Scouts of America. Rick and Sigrid retired to Las Cruces in 1996.Rick is survived by his grandsons, Tyler Merolla of Lubbock, Texas and Marc Merolla of Ridge, New York, as well as his sisters, Theresa Cocchiarella of Las Vegas, Nevada, Delores Newman of Ocala, Florida and Sylvia Cassella of Ronkonkoma, New York.Cremation has taken place and no services are planned.Arrangements entrusted to the care of Baca's Funeral Chapels and Sunset Crematory, 300 E. Boutz Road, Las Cruces 88005 - 575-527-2222. Your exclusive providers for "Veterans and Family Memorial Care". For online condolences logon to www.bacasfuneralchapelslascruces.com