Russell A. Merrill

Hampton – Russell Addison Merrill, 90, a lifelong resident of Hampton, passed away on Wednesday, November 9, 2016 at his home after an extended period of failing health. Mr. Merrill was born September 10, 1926 at the Portsmouth Hospital, a son of the late Dean B. and C. Ruth (Noyes) Merrill. Russ graduated from Hampton Academy with the Class 0f 1944. He then attended Boston University and went on to graduate from Lynn Burdett College. In 1948, after a brief time in the United States Army Air Corps, he returned home and went to work full time in the family business, Tobey & Merrill Insurance Company of Hampton. He met and fell in love with Ada May Heal. The young couple married in 1952 and settled in Hampton to raise their family. Although semi-retired at 65 years old, he remained active in the business by working part-time for many years. In an account of his life, Russ said; "It appears that Hampton has claimed me or I have claimed Hampton and I have not moved from the town and expect to live here for the balance of my life." Russ was very involved in his community and was a member of many local organizations. He was a faithful parishioner and past warden and treasurer of Hampton’s First Congregational Church, a 25 year call man with the Hampton Fire Department, served 5 years, including time as moderator, on the Winnacunnet School Board and was a member of and served as a past executive board member of the Hampton Historical Society. He was also a member, past president and past state national director of the New Hampshire Association of Independent Insurance Agents, past president of the Hampton Kiwanis Club, a member of the Portsmouth Country Club, a two-time president and 50+ year member of the Profile Auto League and a member of the St. James Lodge No. 2, F. & A.M. of Hampton for over 50+ years. Russ is survived by his sons, Dean B. Merrill II and his wife Deborah of Exeter, Geoffrey R. Merrill and his wife Marjorie of East Kingston, his daughter, Lisa Spring and her husband John of Pembroke, six grandchildren, Patricia Balsone her husband Andrew, Kimberly Wood and her husband Seth, Jillian and Emily Spring, Christina and Jennifer Merrill and lastly great grandson Dylan Balsone. In addition to his parents, Russ was predeceased by his beloved wife of over 61 years, Ada May (Heal) Merrill who died in 2014 and his brother, Norman N. Merrill who passed in 2015. Visiting hours will be from 2 to 5 PM on Sunday, November 13, 2016 in the Remick & Gendron Funeral Home-Crematory, 811 Lafayette Road, Hampton. A celebration of life service will be held at 11 AM on Monday at the First Congregational Church, 127 Winnacunnet Road Hampton. Family, friends and associates are respectfully invited. Private interment is being held in the High Street Cemetery Hampton. In lieu of flowers, donations may be mailed to the First Congregational Church, 127 Winnacunnet Rd., Hampton, NH 03842 or the Hampton Historical Society, PO Box 1601, Hampton, NH 03842 or made online at www.hamptonhistoricalsociety.org/donations.htm.

Russell A. Merrill

September 10, 1926 - November 9, 2016