From the July 19, 1999 issue of The Country Chronicle
Canaan, NH–Blynn Davidson Merrill, 72, died Saturday at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center.
He was born June 21, 1927, in New Gloucester, Maine, a son of Henry T. Merrill and Ina C. Haskell. He grew up in New Gloucester and attended Shaker Society School. He graduated from the University of Maine at Orono with a bachelor’s degree in forestry.
Mr. Merrill served in the Merchant Marine and was a forester for the state of Maine for 10 years. A licensed forester and surveyor in New Hampshire and Maine, he held a real estate license in New Hampshire, Vermont and Florida. He also was licensed as a septic designer in New Hampshire.
Mr. Merrill worked for Wagner Woodlands and Davis & Symonds Lumber Co., and was a partner in Moseley-Merrill Reality of Hanover before founding Granite Northland Associates in Canaan in 1971, a company he owned until 1995.
From 1971-1975, he helped bring new businesses to the Upper Valley. He enjoyed working in his professions and collecting tools. A member of Cumberland Lodge No. 12 F. & A.M. in New Gloucester for more than 40 years, he was a member of Social Summit Lodge F. & A.M. in Canaan, the National Realtor Association, Canaan Lions Club, United Methodist Church in Canaan, and the Society of American Foresters. He had served on the Canaan Planning Board.
Survivors include his wife, Frieda Merrill of Canaan; three daughters, Carlisse Clough of Springfield, Doreen Wyman of Grafton and Elaine White of Strafford; four stepdaughters, Susan Huppe of Auburn, ME, and Bonnie Lumb, Mona Vachon and Sharon Bell, all of Lewiston, ME; a stepson, Gregg Fickett of Little Rock, AR. A sister, Elizabeth Berry of New Gloucester; two brothers, True Merrill of Newport and Henry Merrill of Phoenix, AZ; 19 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held at United Methodist Church in Canaan, with the Rev. Patricia Williams officiating. Burial is in the Lowe Gloucester Cemetery in New Gloucester, with the Rev. Nick Davis officiating. Ricker Funeral Home of Lebanon was in charge of arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Canaan Senior Center Community Dinner and Food Pantry Program, Church St., Canaan, NH 03741.