ADDISON – James S. Merrill, 64, died June 8, 2011, at his home. He was born Nov. 27, 1946, in Dover-Foxcroft, son of Dwight D. and Patricia M. (Packard) Merrill. He is now at peace and has gone to meet his Lord and Savior.
Jim and his wife, Gloria, came to the Machias area in 1975 from New Hampshire, and purchased Machias Valley Waste Removal which he owned and operated until 1990, then worked for Washington Academy and most recently for the University of Maine at Machias until his retirement in November 2010 due to ill health. Jim graduated from Foxcroft Academy in 1965 and attended Gorham State Teachers College. His love of all sports was phenomenal, but his sport of choice was golf and on any given day you could see him on a golf course, rain or shine. His favorite phrase was, “a bad day of golf is better than a good day at work.” Jim had a childhood dream from the first time he held a golf club to someday attend the Masters Golf Tournament in Augusta, Ga., and, because of some dear friends, that dream came true in 2008. Jim’s affiliations included Warren Lodge No. 2, East Machias, where he was a past master; Washington Chapter No. 16, Machias; St. Croix Council No. 11 Royal and Select Masters, Calais; Hugh De Payens Commandry No. 15, Calais; Anah Shrine, Bangor; Order of Eastern Star No. 83, Machias; and the Sons & Daughters of the 9th Infantry Division Organization. Throughout the years, Jim had also been a member of several community organizations.
Jim was predeceased by his father, Dwight D. Merrill; mother, Patricia (Packard) Merrill; brother, John P. Merrill; and sister, Joani Martin. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Gloria J. Merrill; brother, Richard W. Merrill of Danville, N.H.; a special aunt, Virginia Jordan of Cape Elizabeth; mother-in-law, Louise Kilbreth of Topsham; brothers-in-law, Walter Kilbreth and wife, Jan, of Kingfield, and Dale Kilbreth of Jonesboro; several cousins, nieces and nephews. He would especially want to remember his extended family, John, Amy, Hope and Jordyn Kohtala; and all the wonderful friends he has met through the years. Jim would want to be remembered as a gentleman with a kind heart who always had a joke to tell and a smile for everyone he met.
Per Jim’s request there will be no calling hours. A celebration of life will take place 1 p.m. July 9 at Faith United Methodist Church, Columbia, with the Rev. Dan Blevins officiating, with a short Masonic service after. There will be a graveside service at a later date at Pine Grove Cemetery, Dover-Foxcroft. In lieu of flowers, you may make donations to Warren Lodge No. 2, East Machias; Maine Coalition to Fight Prostate Cancer, care of Ole Jaeger, treasurer, 1132 Five Island Road, Georgetown, ME 04548 or a charity of your choice. Arrangements are in the care of McClure Family Funeral Services, Machias and Lubec.