Originally published August 7, 2013 at 6:35 PM | Page modified August 7, 2013 at 10:25 PM

A friend said he was like Leave it to Beaver s dad, someone who always took care of everybody else, a business owner and community organizer who raised money for multiple-sclerosis research and volunteered as a Seafair commodore.

Gene Merlino, who friends said was an old-school gentleman, died at home in North Seattle on July 29. He was 100.

Mr. Merlino leaves a legacy of connections and grass-roots business sense that twice brought him White House recognition.

In 1979, he was the U.S. Small Business Administrations Washington State Small Business Person of the Year and was invited to the White House to meet President Carter. In the 1980s, he was one of 10 small-business owners in the country to be honored and went back to the White House to meet President Reagan.

Gary Beck, who knew Mr. Merlino for the past 25 years and likened him to the Ward Cleaver family-man of sitcom fame, called him a gentle soul, who was quick to help anyone who needed help.

Mr. Merlino was a member of the Seattle Executives Club, an organization of business owners who meet to exchange business tips with one another. He was an active member in Seattles Italian community and in 2001 received the Gill A. Centioli Award for achievement and dedication to the Italian community.

He also founded the annual Multiple Sclerosis Association of King County Golf Tournament Charity Dinner and Auction, helping to raise $4 million, his family said.

Mr. Merlino grew up one of five boys on Beacon Hill, the son of Italian immigrants, John and Columba Merlino. He began his business career when he was only 8, selling newspapers to supplement the family income.

He was so small that his brothers would lean over and hed scamper across their backs to get through the crowd of newsboys clambering to get the newspapers coming off the press conveyor belt, his daughter, Jean Merlino, recalled. Hed grab a bundle and hand it off to his brothers, and theyd be first out on the street, selling the news to customers at Seattles restaurants.

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Gene Merlino, 100, always took care of everyone else

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