Earl Merrill

Earl C. “Bob” Merrill, 87, of Haverhill, died Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2009 at his home, surrounded by his loving family, after a brief illness.Born in Haverhill, he was the son of the late, Harry and Florence (Hutt) Merrill. He attended Haverhill public schools. Bob spoke often of his service in the Civilian Conservation Corps. He served at Camp Annett in East Jaffrey, N.H., supporting construction of the Mt. Monadnock trail system.A World War II veteran, he served in the Army Air Corps and was awarded the American Theatre Campaign Ribbon.Bob and his wife, Janet, were married in 1941, two weeks before the invasion of Pearl Harbor. The couple recently celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary. Bob has always valued hard work and held many jobs throughout the Merrimack Valley. Most recently he was employed as a layout operator at the former Western Electric/ Lucent Technologies, in North Andover, retiring in 1986. he enjoyed candlepin bowling and was a member of the Western Electric bowling league.During his retirement, he enjoyed traveling the country with his beloved wife, Janet. He also looked forward to spending winters at their home in Lakeland, Fla., and visiting with close family friends, Greg and Marie Morisky. He was a member of the Communication Workers of America, and Wilbur Comeau post American Legion.Bob enjoyed following the local news and was a Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy expert.Besides his wife, Janet (Dick) Merrill, Bob leaves three sons, P. Douglas Merrill, of Greenville, N.C., Clifford Merrill, of Lawrence, and Kenneth Merrill, of China, Maine two daughters, Barbara J. Adams, of Pleasanton, Calif., Janice M. Taylor, of Haverhill five grandchildren four great-grandchildren two brothers, Harry Merrill, of Haverhill, Richard Merrill, of Lancaster, Vt. two sisters, Dorothy Merrill, of Haverhill, and Mary Miller, of Salem, N.H. and several nieces and nephews.Bob was a lifelong Haverhill resident, living nearly 60 years on Corliss Hill Road, enjoying long term friendships with the Collins, Lescizka, Langlois, and Briggs families. He is also close friends with the Deveau family of Haverhill. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him.ARRANGEMENTS: Friends and family are respectfully invited to call on Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Kevin B. Comeau Funeral Home, 486 Main St. (Route 125) Haverhill. Funeral services will take place at the conclusion of the time of visitation at 1 p.m. in the funeral home. Memorial donations made Beacon Hospice, 350 Main St., Haverhill, MA 01830. www.comeaufuneral.com.