Obituary of Donald Brian Merriam

Donald Brian Merriam 73, Middleton / Carleton Corner, passed away Saturday, April 9, 2011 in Soldier’s Memorial Hospital, Middleton, after coping many years from Kennedy’s Disease. Born in Wolfville on September 18, 1937 he was the son of the late Captain J. Randall and Hilda (Balcom) Merriam. After leaving Wolfville at the age of 10, the family lived in Port Dalhousie and Roseland, Ontario. Don was educated at Kennedy Collegiate High School in Windsor, Ontario and Acadia University where he received a BSc in Geology and a BEd. Don taught Math and Science at Halifax West High School, from 1961 to 1965. After moving to Carleton Corner, he taught Earth and General Science and Biology at Bridgetown Regional High School from 1965 to 1993, where he coached boys’ basketball for over 20 years. He saw teaching biology as his vocation which allowed him to share his passion of life and nature with generations of students. In Bridgetown, he held offices of Treasurer, Secretary and President of the Lions Club and president of the minor hockey, tennis and badminton clubs. He received a lieutenant’s commission in the Reserve Army and instructed first aid at Camp Aldershot for four summers in the 60's and marked final provincial examinations for the Department of Education for several years. Always a gentleman, Don put up a good fight to overcome his illness and was an inspiration to many. He will be remembered for his sense of humour, his puns in particular. His hobbies were downhill and cross country skiing, basketball, tennis, gardening, photography, following the stock market, fishing, and genealogy, writing a book on the Merriam family history. He enjoyed time spent with his family at his cottage on Lake Pleasant for over 30 years and at the Merriam homestead in Port Greville, NS. He was always a great family man and his favourite times were those spent with his wonderful sons, daughters-in-law and grandchildren, whom he adored, and it was because of his family that he fought so hard to stay alive. He is survived by his loving wife, Betty Ann (Russell); sons, Michael (Kim), Montague, P.E.I.; Craig (Brenda), Milford, Hants Co.; grandchildren, Sarah, Joey, Emily and Anne; brother, John (Linda), sister Melba and brother-in-law, Gordon Lummis. He was predeceased by his sister, Anne Lummis. The family would like to thank the excellent care he received from the staff at both the Valley Regional Hospital and Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital and all his friends and relatives for their support over the years. Cremation has taken place. A service celebrating Don’s life will be held at 1 p.m., Thursday, April 14 in Manning Memorial Chapel, Acadia University, Wolfville. Rev. Virginia Cookman officiating. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Kennedy’s Disease Association, Inc. or Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital, Middleton. A private family interment will be at a later date in St. John in the Wilderness Anglican Church Cemetery, New Germany. Arrangements entrusted to Sweeny’s Funeral Home, New Germany, where on-line condolences may be made by visiting www.sweenysfuneralhome.com.