HAMPDEN – Frederick G. Merchant, 73, died Oct. 16, 2005, at an Orono healthcare facility. He was born April 22, 1932, in Hancock, the son of Frederick and Martha (Brackett) Merchant. Fred was a hard worker and loved snowmobiling, motorcycling, boating, 4-wheeling, dancing and working about his property. He worked in construction, was employed by NASA, spent time as a lobsterman and was an engineer for many years on deep sea fishing draggers out on the Grand Banks. He began and ended his employment working at BMHI, where he also met his wife. Even into his retirement he continued to work, delivering dentures for Richard McKenzie. He is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Frances (Brown) Merchant of Orono; three children, Carla and her husband, Bruce Jellison, of Hampden, Michael Merchant and his wife, Suzette, of Hampden and Crystal Nealley and her companion, Bruce Mailman, of Eddington; his sister and her husband, Winona and Lowell Thomas of Manassas, Va.; his brother, Richard B. Merchant of Titusville, Fla.; a special brother-in-law, Percy Brown Jr. of Old Town; seven loving grandchildren, Aaron Snowman of Hampden, Ryan Nealley of Newburgh, Francesca Nealley and her fiance, Scott Badger, of Carmel, Mark and Michael Merchant of Hampden, Cassandra Nealley of Newburgh, Makayla Nealley of Eddington; great-grandson, Zachary Badger of Carmel; a very special aunt, Helen Otis of Zephyrhills, Fla.; a good friend and working buddy, Ralph Harriman; and longtime friends, the Dunton and Leeman families. He was predeceased by his son, Frederick Russell Merchant. Special thanks is given to the staff at Orono Commons. A service of remembrance will be held 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 21, at Glad Tidings Church. A reception will immediately follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Alzheimer’s Association of Maine, 163 Lancaster St., Suite 160B, Portland, ME 0410. A service of Brookings-Smith, Bangor.