Merle Samuel "Butch" Upperman

Merle Samuel "Butch" "The Beer Man" Upperman, age 71, of Millcreek passed away surrounded by his family on Tuesday February 2, 2021 at UPMC Hamot following a lengthy battle with cancer. He was born in Erie on August 20, 1949, the son of the late Merle Hollis and Lillian Inez (Morse) Upperman.
Merle was a graduate of Harborcreek High School. He retired from Glenwood Beer after a 30-year career as a salesman and all-brand manager. He was overjoyed with his retirement gift, a green 2006 Saturn Sky convertible. He also founded Wholesale Tee'z and More in 2005.
Butch was a lifetime member of the Siebenbuerger Club, a member of the Sunflower Club, and the Nuova Aurora Club, where he enjoyed singing Doo-wop with his buddies. Baseball was his #1 love. He was an avid softball player and baseball coach, playing and coaching most of his life. He coached generations of his family including his two sons and his grandson all for the love of the game. He worked with the Millcreek Youth Association and was the former President of the Pony League, along with his good friend, Leo Williard.
Butch was an avid Cleveland Indians and Browns fan. He was also a long-time fan and season ticketholder of the Gannon Golden Knights basketball team. Merle enjoyed golf, had previously served as President of his golf league, and had two career hole-in-ones. He was also a long-time bowler at Eastland Bowl and many other lanes including Eastway Lanes where he bowled a coveted 300 game.
Butch thoroughly enjoyed serving as campaign manager and chief financial officer for the election of his brother-in-law, Judge Timothy Beveridge. He looked forward to the annual family trip to Myrtle Beach, SC every year. He traveled extensively throughout his career, and always managed to meet celebrities and sports stars along the way.
Merle always loved a good party and more than anything he loved sunny days by his pool spending time with his family and friends with a beer or bourbon in hand.
He will be missed by his wife, Vicki D. (Beveridge) Upperman; three children: Terry K. Upperman (Norma), Renee M. Triana (Jason), and Mitchel S. Upperman; four grandchildren: Vanessa Schauble, Adam Upperman, Annabella, and Vincent Triana; one great-granddaughter, Zoey Schauble; one brother, William Gray; one sister, Violet Sidman; special uncle and aunt, Pete & Jay Benoit; as well as many nieces nephews, in-laws, and dear friends.
In addition to his parents, Merle was preceded in death by his brother, Richard Gray; sister-in-law, Katie Gray; and brother-in-law, Richard Sidman.
Family and friends are warmly invited to call at the Dusckas-Taylor Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., 5151 Buffalo Rd. (at Hannon Rd. in Harborcreek Twp.) on Sunday from 2 PM until the time of the Funeral Service there at 5 PM, conducted by Msgr. Gerald Ritchie. All public safety guidelines pertaining to the COVID-19 pandemic will be strictly adhered to, including the mandate for the use of face masks and social distancing. Merle will be privately laid to rest at Wintergreen Gorge Cemetery.