Obituary of Kenneth Torrey Merrill

Kenneth T. "Uncle Ken" Merrill, 90 Danielson-Kenneth Torrey Merrill, 90, died May 27th, 2014 at home, surrounded by his family. He was born in Springfield, Maine October 23rd, 1923, the son of Torrey G. and Ada Boyington Merrill. He received his secondary education at Eastern Maine Institute in Springfield. He served in the U.S Navy during World War II aboard a mine sweeper in the South Pacific. He graduated in 1953 from the University Of Connecticut with a Bachelor's Degree in Dairy Manufacturing, continuing post graduate studies at Eastern Connecticut State University in Willimantic. He owned and operated Uncle Ken's Drive-In for seventeen years in Willimantic. After that he became a real estate broker, then an appraiser, operating Uncle Ken's Appraisal Services until his retirement in 2010 at age eighty-six. "Uncle Ken" enjoyed working with people and helping them realize their dreams of home ownership. He practiced the Golden Rule and quietly helped many people. He was a member of the Yankee Yesteryear Car Club where he held the position of secretary for six years. He was an accomplished harmonica player, and enjoyed playing solos for anyone within earshot, also singing and playing with a band at local nursing homes. Ken was predeceased by ten of his twelve siblings. He is survived by his older sister Gladys and younger sister Noreen, and more than forty adoring nieces and nephews, many of whom were present at his 90th birthday party last October. He leaves his wife, Jeanne (Demoranville) Merrill; his daughter Deborah Merrill of Danielson, CT; his daughter Wendy and husband Roger Mason of Niantic, CT; his son Jeffrey and wife Jayne of Gorham, Maine; and five of the best grandchildren in the world: Paul Michael Gignac of Tulsa, Oklahoma; Sarah Roers, currently in Okinawa Japan with her husband Jason Williams; Jocelyn Magalis of Terryville, CT; Seth Merrill of Johnston, Colorado; and Stephanie Roers of Arvada, Colorado. Ken's grandchildren were the light of his life and was very proud of their many accomplishments. Ken's philosophies were: Nothing is forever; Wear a smile; and Try to help others. He felt that if he brought a little sunshine into someone's life then his time on earth was well spent. He wishes that no one grieve for his passing, only to be thankful for having him around for as long as they did. The family invites relatives and friends to join them at a memorial service at Westfield Congregational Church in Danielson on June 8th, 3pm. Please come prepared to share any stories or memories. To share a memory with his family, "Light a Candle" at www.smithandwalkerfh.com