NEWPORT – Joseph Andrew Merchant, 82, died Feb. 25, 2011, at a Pittsfield hospital. He was born Aug. 23, 1928, in Quechee, Vt., a son of Alba and Mary (Burke) Merchant.
Joe served in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Randolph and later worked at Togus Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Augusta. He was a life member of Barrows-Skidgel American Legion No. 105 and Newport Post No. 11191 Veterans of Foreign Wars. Joe was an avid reader and loved to travel and camp in his RV. He was an active member of Holiday Rambler RV Club, Good Sam Club and Family Motor Coach Association. He attended People’s United Methodist Church.
He is survived by his wife, Lorraine (Morse) Merchant of Newport; two sons, John and wife, Diana Merchant, of Lisbon Falls and Kelly and wife, Ellen Holmes, of Palermo; a daughter, Judith and husband, Charles May, of Bowie, Md.; two brothers, William and wife, Doris Merchant, of Jay and John and wife, Caroline Merchant, of Claremont, N.H.; six grandchildren, Erica and husband, Gene Carwile, Laurel Merchant, Lisa and husband, Mike Riggin, Chuck May, David and wife, Lisa Holmes, and Andrew Holmes; 12 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandsons.
Friends may call 1-3 p.m. Wednesday, March 2, at Crosby & Neal, 117 Main St., Newport. A spring graveside committal service will be held at Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Augusta, with the Rev. Ellen Bridge officiating. Memorial donations may be made to the Salvation Army, 65 Park St., Bangor, ME 04401. Those who wish may leave written condolences at
www.CrosbyNeal.com.