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Honoring Joseph Merical: A Loving Husband, Father, Brother, and Friend
On August 24, 2025, we lost our beloved Joseph “Joey” Merical at just 35 years old. Joey was a retired Correctional Sergeant that was eager to begin a new career in Wildland Forestry, a passionate collector of vintage treasures, the kind of person who lit up every room with his warmth and humor. To those who knew him, he was our “human golden retriever”—loyal, joyful, full of love and chatter.
Joey leaves behind his wife Gisela and two beautiful daughters, Ava and Mila, whom he adored with every fiber of his being. He was a devoted son to "Grandpa Shawn and Grandma Diana", an amazing brother to Sarah, a cherished friend, and a die-hard fan of the Miami Dolphins and Los Angeles Dodgers. His spirit was magnetic, and his love for life was contagious. A sucker for dad jokes and a pretty sunset photo.
Although always cheery, my husband also suffered from severe depression and poor mental health - a struggle that often faces a stigma in men. He faced it with quiet strength, and we honor not only the joy he brought into our lives but also the courage it took to carry that weight. His story of reinventing and never giving up reminds us of the importance of compassion, connection, and checking in on those we love. Please be kind to each other and remember to ask for help.
We are raising funds to give Joey the proper goodbye he deserves—a celebration of his life filled with love, laughter, and the memories he gave us. Every contribution, no matter the size, will help support funeral arrangements and memorial events.
️ How You Can Help:
- Donate to support Joey’s farewell and help ease the burden on his family.
- Share your memories of Joey—whether you knew him for years or just a moment, your stories are welcome and deeply appreciated. Please email any footage you'd like to have shared at the service.
- Attend upcoming memorial events. Details will be posted publicly as they are organized. A vigil will also be planned and details posted. The invitation is open to anyone, old and new friends.
- Volunteer to help with planning, fundraising, lending a hand, or sharing Joey’s story.
If you’d like to assist or share a memory that we can share during his services, please contact Gisela Merical. I may delay but will respond as quickly as possible while navigating this time of grief.
Let’s come together to honor Joey’s legacy, support his family, and celebrate the beautiful life he lived. We owe him the same love he gave to others every single day.
I love you, honey and I will see you again one day. I got us from here.
Co-organizers (2)
Gisela Merical
Organizer
Fresno, CA
Mariah Underwood
Co-organizer