Andrew C. DeMeritt of West Milford passed away at Chilton Memorial Hospital on Sunday, July 22, 2012. He was 72. Mr. DeMeritt was born in 1940 at Holy Name Hospital in Teaneck to Ida (nee Zeliff) DeMeritt and Louis A. DeMeritt and grew up in East Paterson. He attended and graduated in 1958 from Bergen County Tech, where he studied culinary arts and in later years earned several awards in New Jersey state competitions for cake decorating. In 1962 he married Carol (nee Byrnes) in St. Annes Church in Fairlawn. They resided in Garfield, where they began raising their son and daughter. In 1968 they moved their young family to West Milford, where they have resided for the last 44 years. Mr. DeMeritt was employed at the age of 16 as cart pusher in Grand Union Supermarkets and remained with the company for over 40 years as he worked his way up to become a grocery manager in various locations, such as Wyckoff, Waldwick, and Ringwood. Mr. DeMeritt was predeceased in 2009 by his loving wife Carol of 47 years, and his dear brothers L. Daniel DeMeritt and Donald DeMeritt. He is survived by his dear son Darren DeMeritt of West Milford, and his dear daughter Dawn Brown and her husband Rusty of Stockholm. He also leaves behind his cherished grandchildren Tanner DeMeritt of West Milford, and Shane and Kayla Brown of Stockholm, his loving sister, Sandra Shipley and her husband Ray of Florida, as well as many dear nieces and nephews. Mr. DeMeritt will best be remembered as a loving husband, father, and grandfather, as well as having an admirable work ethic. He enjoyed tending his yard in his retirement. The family will receive visitors on Friday, July 27, 2012 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Stickle-Soltesz Funeral Home, 187 LaRue Road, Newfoundland. The funeral service will be held on Friday at 8:30 p.m. during visitation. Final disposition will be private. To send online condolences and get directions, go to www.sticklesolteszfuneralhome.com.