HANCOCK
On Sept. 27, Richard Merchant 83, died peacefully after a long struggle with dementia. He was born on Nov. 30, 1933. He was the son of Thomas and Pauline Merchant of Boston and Hancock. He grew up in Brookline, Mass., and summered in Hancock, where the family had a homestead. Richard met his wife of 65 years, Catherine, in Brookline and had six of his eight children before moving to Hancock in 1963.
Richard was predeceased by his brother Thomas and leaves one sister, Muriel Brown of Sullivan. He is survived by his beautiful wife, Catherine, daughter Connie and her husband, Bill Wales, of Rockport, son Richard Jr. and his wife, Kelli, of Hancock, son Daniel and his wife, Lana, of Windham, son David and his late wife, Tisha, of Panama City, Fla., son John and his wife, Julie, of Hancock, daughter Karin and her boyfriend Shawn Tooley of Cumberland Foreside, daughter Jeannie and her boyfriend Jim Kennedy of Wrentham, Mass., and daughter Becky and her boyfriend Billy Duke of Hancock. He also leaves behind 14 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Richard started Merchant’s Sales and Service in 1963 servicing in tractors, snowmobiles and small engines. He also worked for Winter Harbor Food Service as a meat cutter for many years. In 1965, he and Richard Jr. and his youngest son John turned the business into Merchant’s Auto Repair, where it has been run as a successful business since then. Richard Sr. kept a small engine repair business out of his home garage.
Richard enjoyed music, sports, building furniture, traveling, family trips and playing cards. He loved his family times more than anything. He idolized his friends. He also very much enjoyed playing the organ, harmonica and accordion. One of his proudest moments was when he sponsored his softball team “Merchant’s Auto.” Three of his daughters played on the team and they successfully won the state championship two out of three years.
Richard will be greatly missed by family, friends and his community. May he rest in peace. A celebration for life will be held at VFW on Washington Junction Road in Ellsworth on Oct. 21 from 2 to 5 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider donating to the Alzheimer’s Foundation.