Obituary of Reid Arnold Merritt

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It is with great sadness that the family of Reid Arnold Merritt of Fredericton, NB announces his passing on Wednesday, Sept 13, 2023 at the Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital, at the age of 93. Reid is the son of the late Warren Merritt and the late Mae (Dunphy) Merritt, born in Maple Grove, NB.

Reid is survived by his wife of 70 years, Iva (Jones) Merritt. He was the last surviving member of his 6 siblings.

He was Dad to his children, Neil Merritt, Sharon MacPherson (Steven), Lynn Riley (Randy) and Joan Kitchen (mike).

Reid was Grampy or The Pamp to grandchildren Charro Benteau, the late Trevor MacPherson (Hannah), Rachel MacPherson (Andrew), Aaron MacPherson, Jillian Johnston (Kevin), Matthew Palmer (Laura), Bobbi-jo Matthews (Daniel), Amanda Mae Kitchen, James Kitchen (Katrina), and Shonda Tilitzky (Daylon); Step-grandchildren Peter LJ Riley (Kris), Richard Riley (Wendy), Kelly Dobson (Jon), Dale Riley (Lisa). Reid also leaves behind 25 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

He was a good husband and father and a very involved grandfather. His wife Iva was the love of his life. She was his compass and his home.

Reids passion and career choices were evident from a very early age. His father was a trucker and took him with him when he was just five years old. He studied his father’s every move. Around the same age Reid discovered singing and not long after the guitar.

As he grew into adulthood, he became an accomplished musician playing in a number of bands, most notably the Golden Bel-Aires. Trucking was his lifelong career with C.N.R and Armour Transport.

Another artistic gift that he was endowed with also emerged early in his life; he would often be found sketching – even in his school textbooks!

He would eventually put this aside until he retired. It was then that he took painting lessons and became immersed in it for many years producing upwards to seventy or more beautiful paintings.

Reid had a deep love for his mother but unfortunately, due to cancer, lost her when she only twenty five years old. He would speak of her often for the rest of his life. He was very close to his brother Harold, whom he shared his hobby of Harley motorcycles.

He had strong values which were evident to most anyone who knew him. Some to note were: punctuality, honesty, self-discipline, living within your means, saving for the future and doing the job right.

He became a Christian at the age of fifty and never looked back. He gave himself to advancing the Kingdom of God through his talents and sharing the Gospel.

He was otherwise a very healthy man but eventually Alzheimer’s stole from his functioning brain and he suffered loss and well-being. His wife Iva demonstrated what it means to love someone for who they are always.

During his last ten or so years he lost his ability to paint and finally to play guitar and sing. God gave him other joys in his last years. He began to delight in nature more and more – especially the antics of squirrels and the beauty of birds and their songs. He found great contentment in basking in the hot sun and sitting out on his step and chatting with all his wonderful neighbours as they strolled by. Even some of the neighbourhood children would drop in and bring him pictures they drew especially for him.

He is much loved by his family and will be greatly missed!

We would like to thank 4SE at the Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital, especially his nurse, Justine and Dr. Blythe. We would like to thank his home care givers, Elizabeth Phillips and Maureen Patriquin. They are all special people and made our final days with Dad easier.

Visitation will take place at York Funeral Home, 302 Brookside Drive, Fredericton on Monday September 18, 2023 from 7 to 9 pm.  The funeral service will be held from the Nashwaaksis Baptist Church on Tuesday September 19, 2023 at 1 pm. The service will be available to watch livestreamed through wwwyorkfh.com link at top of obituary. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Nashwaaksis Baptist Church or to the Alzheimer’s society. Personal condolences may be offered through www.yorkfh.com