B. Leonard Merrill, 100, of Amherst, NH, passed away in his home on October 8 in the presence of his family.
Born in Gardiner, Maine, on July 2, 1925, he was the son of Norman and Ethlyn (Danforth) Merrill, and was one of three children. A true WWII hero, Leonard received a Bronze Star, the WWII Victory Medal, and two Purple Hearts. Upon his return from Italy, following a year of recovery in Georgia from severe injuries, he married Mary Furber, the love of his life, graduated from the University of Maine in Orono, and moved to Nashua in 1951.
Leonard’s life centered around his family, his church, and his career as Sales Engineer for Improved Machinery, Inc. (later Ingersoll-Rand), where he worked for 30 years. After his retirement, he worked at Farwell Funeral Home for a number of years.
He loved boating – built his own boat in his garage one winter, providing many hours of joy for the entire family – walking, working in his yard, building models, including several H-O scale railroads, and spending time at his summer home in Maine.
Leonard was very active in the life of the First Baptist Church of Nashua. He was a Sunday School teacher and Superintendent of Sunday Schools, choir member, and Deacon. Leonard was also Chair of the Building Committee, overseeing every detail of the building of the current church on Manchester Street when the church moved from its original location on Main Street. Whenever something needed to be built, Leonard, a meticulous and skillful craftsman, was asked to do it. He will be remembered as a devoted and committed Christian man. As Pastor Akum Longchar noted on his birthday, who else would wear a suit and tie to church for 100 years?
Following retirement, Leonard and his wife Mary moved to Southport Island, Maine, for ten years, returning to southern NH in 2009 to be nearer to the family.
Two days after his 100th birthday, Leonard was Parade Marshal of the Amherst Town July 4 parade, and was introduced by U.S. Rep. Maggie Goodlander.
Family members include one son– Edmund Merrill and his wife Louise of Amherst; two daughters – Diane Pomeroy of Lebanon, PA, and Janice Miller with husband Ernie of Amherst, NH; five grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. Leonard was pre-deceased by his wife, Mary, of 68 years.
Calling hours will be held at the First Baptist Church, 121 Manchester Street, in Nashua, NH, on Friday, October 17, from 4-7 pm. The Service of Remembrance will be held at the church on Saturday, October 18, at 11am. Donations in his memory may be made to the First Baptist Church of Nashua, NH. To leave an online message of condolence, please visit www.farwellfuneralservice.com The Farwell Funeral Service, 18 Lock Street, Nashua is assisting the family with arrangements.
