Allen R. Merrill, Sr., age 96, of Tampa, FL (formerly of Asheville, NC between 1986-2020) died peacefully December 27, 2022 in Tampa.
A native of Boston, MA, Mr. Merrill was born July 19, 1926 to the late Lester M. and Elizabeth (Lyon) Merrill. A brother, John W., preceded him in 1965. He married Claire (Cooley) Merrill in 1947; she died in 2001. A special friend and companion, Edna McAllister, died in 2011.
Allen was raised in Tewksbury, MA. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy during WWII and served aboard the U.S.S. Randolph aircraft as an Aircraft Electrician’s Mate. After discharge, he received his B.S. degree in Textile Engineering from Lowell Textile Institute (now U. Mass – Lowell) in 1950.
Employed by both Celanese Fibers Company and BASF Corporation, Mr. Merrill managed textile plants in North Carolina, Virginia, and Georgia before retiring from BASF at Enka, N.C. in 1988 as Technical Service Manager. For part of his career, he was also employed by Virginia Metalcrafters in Waynesboro, VA as Vice President, Operations.
While living in Asheville, he was a member of Saint Eugene’s Catholic Church and belonged to the Land of the Sky Square Dance Club and the YMCA’s 2nd Chance exercise group. He was an active member of the Leeds, Maine Historical Society. During his retirement he studied genealogy records in the U.S. and in England. In 2008 he wrote and distributed a history of the Leeds branch of the Merrills, covering 7 centuries of family members.
He also enjoyed woodworking, tinkering, English History and communicating with friends and relatives via the Internet.
He is survived by two sons: Donald (Lillian) of San Antonio, TX and Jeffrey (Karen) of Gloucester, VA and two daughters: Elizabeth (Thomas) Kovach of Riverview, FL and Julie (Gregory) Peters of Harrisburg, PA. Two sons predeceased him: Patrick (Sophie) of Germantown, TN and Allen, Jr. of Asheville, NC. He also leaves eight grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, several nephews, nieces, and loved ones who were like family to him.
He will be buried in the Merrill Family Plot in River Grove Cemetery in Leeds, re-joining Claire and his parents. A graveside service with military honors and burial will be held at 11AM, Tuesday, June 13, 2023, River Grove Cemetery, River Road, Leeds, Maine. Memorial contributions can be made to St. Jude’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis TN 38105 or Brother Wolf Animal Shelter, PO Box 8195, Asheville, NC 28814. Arrangements are being handled by BRAGDON-FINLEY FUNERAL HOME, 707 Main Street, Monmouth, Maine.