PEABODY, Mass. – Gary W. DeMerchant, 66, beloved husband of Janice (MacPherson) DeMerchant of Peabody, Mass., died peacefully Thursday morning, July 24, 2008, with his family by his side, at Kaplan Family Hospice House, Danvers, Mass. Born in Fort Fairfield, he was the son of Helen (Kennedy) DeMerchant of Maine and the late Donald DeMerchant. He lived in Fort Farifield during his youth, and in high school he transferred to a trade school in Connecticut. He was encouraged by a cousin, who took him under his wings and developed his passion for plaster work. Mr. DeMerchant was self-employed and owned Salem Dry Wall and Plastering for more than 40 years, until he retired due to health issues. Gary enjoyed life and had a gift of sharing his sense of humor with everyone. An outdoorsman, he spent time at his vacation home in Waterville and enjoyed boating, fishing, hunting and snowmobiling. He will be dearly missed by family and friends, including his wife of 23 years, Janice (MacPherson) DeMerchant of Peabody, Mass.; his children, Mark DeMerchant of Salem, Mass., Sherry and Michael Desclos of Danvers, Mass., Albert and Kris Brown of South Attleboro, Mass., Timothy and Darcy DeMerchant of Rochester, N.H., and Kim and Jimmy Festa of Peabody; six grandchildren, Victoria Desclos of Danvers, Mass., Kyle Brown of South Attleboro, Mass., Deavon and Ariana DeMerchant, both of Salem, Mass., and Emma and Jimmy Festa, both of Peabody, Mass.; three sisters, Shirley and Vernie Oakes of Connecticut, Donna and Bill LaRue, and Carolyn Kelly, all of Maine; a special goddaughter, Katelyn Madden of Peabody, Mass.; many nieces and nephews. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to his funeral service, which will be held 10 a.m. Monday at Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, 82 Lynn St., Peabody, Mass. A visitation will be held 4-8 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Burial will be at Puritan Lawn Memorial Park, Peabody, Mass. Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of the North Shore, 75 Sylvan St., Suite B-102, Danvers, MA 01923. For info and to sign guest book, please visit www.ccbfuneral.com.
GARY W. DEMERCHANT
