Obituary of GySgt Meredith "Mert" Paul Ware, U.S. Marines

Mert Ware was born in Philly, raised in New Jersey, but loved his adopted home of Colorado Springs, Colorado. His mother named him Meredith, but he hated the name, and like the Johnny Cash song "A Boy Named Sue" he grew up well acquainted with how to defend himself. Deciding that the military was the best way to hone these skills he joined the Marine Corps when just 17 years old. It took him a few weeks and several pounds of bananas to gain enough weight for the Marines to take him, but this decision would shape the rest of his life. Mert loved being a Marine. It was at a Marine Corps ball that he met the love of his life, Mary Gooley. Although only 16 years old, he told his buddies that she was the woman he was going to marry and three years later they were wed. Their wedding anniversary was just a few days after the Marine Corps anniversary. It was as if the adage were true, if the Marine Corps wanted you to have a wife, they would issue you one (he never tired of that joke). Mert and Mary had five kids, five grandkids, six great-grandkids, and almost forty-seven years together. Although Mert never boasted about this, it was clear that the most important jobs of all were those of husband, grandpa, and poppy. Mert was his wife's primary caregiver as she battled Alzheimer's in her final years and he never complained, never wavered in his duty or his love for her: always faithful.After twenty years active and ten years reserve Mert Ware retired from the Marines and moved to Colorado Springs. He bought his first house, and as he had promised his children, horses, and began the country life. This is also the time he began a new career: used car salesman. Yes, there were plaid blazers and wide ties, but what set him apart and contributed to his success was what he said about himself: he was a people person. But saying he was a people person is like saying boot camp was challenging. He adored people. "We're all God's children" he would say and most of his customers became lifelong friends. Even getting checked into the hospital the first time, the nurse paused and ask if he used to sell cars. He had sold cars to her father, and sold her and her sister their first cars, becoming friends with their family in the process. Mert immediately recounted where they went to high school and asked about her sisters' heart condition. They hadn't seen each other in more than twenty years. He started his career in sales at Jerry Dineen Ford, which became Phil Long Ford. He spent time at Carlin Dodge, and Medved, before opening his own shop in the late 80's: Ware Auto Sales. He loved his family, he loved the Marines, he loved selling cars, he loved talking with people. He loved God and the Catholic Church and St Patrick's became a second home to him, attending daily mass as long as his health permitted it.Mert Ware had a lot of love to give.Mert was preceded in death by his father, Charles E. Ware; mother, Helen A. Ware; beloved wife of forty-seven years, Mary Ware; son, Bryson Ware; and siblings, Joan (Larry) Berube, Charlotte Ware, Merle Ware, and Rodney (Mary) Ware.Although there is no such thing as a humble Marine, Mert Ware never took pride in his own personal accomplishments. That was reserved for his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.Mert had a big family: sons, Alex (Toni) Ware, John Ware, and Mike (Holly) Ware; daughter, Bridget (Sean) Federico. He adored his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and told everyone who would listen all about his family. Grandchildren, Ashley (Michael) Watson, Nicole Warner, Kristie Ware, Heather Ware, Dino Federico; but wait there's more, great-grandchildren, Braden Ware, Lamont Warner, Austin Warner, Sophia Ware, Richard Ware, Lily Watson; and step-great-grandchildren, Anniston Watson, and Michael Watson, Jr.; nephews and nieces, Richard (Lynn) Voelbel, Laura Berube, Edward (Cindy) Ware, David Ware, Christina Ware, Christopher (Jami) Ware, and Jonathon Ware.Thank you, Cindy Ware, for your help and love these last few weeks of Mert Ware's life. Thank you, Holly Ware, for going over and beyond your role as daughter-in-law. Thank you, St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church, Deacon Dick, Deacon Jim, Father Larry, and the many wonderful friends that became family.We are all God's children. God Bless America.Rosary and Vigil, 6:30PM, Sunday, August 8, 2021, St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church, 6455 Brook Park Drive, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918.Memorial Mass, 10:00AM, Monday, August 9, 2021, St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church, 6455 Brook Park Drive, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918. Reception to follow.Graveside Service, 2:00PM, Monday, August 9, 2021, Evergreen Cemetery, 1005 Hancock Expressway, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80903. Events Rosary Sunday, August 8, 2021 6:30PM St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church 6455 Brook Park Drive Colorado Springs, CO 80918 Phone: 719-328-1793 Memorial Mass Monday, August 9, 2021 10:00AM St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church 6455 Brook Park Drive Colorado Springs, CO 80918 Phone: 719-328-1793 Reception Monday, August 9, 2021 12:00PM St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church 6455 Brook Park Drive Colorado Springs, CO 80918 Phone: 719-328-1793 Graveside Monday, August 9, 2021 2:00PM Evergreen Cemetery 1005 Hancock Expressway Colorado Springs, CO 80903 Phone: 719-578-6646 Final Resting Place Evergreen Cemetery 1005 Hancock Expressway Colorado Springs, CO 80903