Obituary of Arthur Myles Merritt

It is with saddened hearts that the family announce the passing of Arthur Myles Merritt of Queenstown, New Brunswick, on October 14, 2020 at the Oromocto Public Hospital. Born on April 6, 1927, he was the son of the late Myles Eldridge Merritt and Margaret Josephine (MacDonald) Merritt. He is survived by his daughter Faye Johnstone (Paul); son-in-law Dale Hughes (Nancy); granddaughter Melissa Hughes; grandsons Joseph Hughes (Kelsey), Scott, David (Jenny) and Daniel Johnstone (Camille); several great grandchildren, and other extended family members. In addition to his parents, Arthur is predeceased by his common-law spouse; Julia May (Drummond) Warden; brother Benjamin MacDonald Merritt; sister Clara Lidya (Merritt) Coy, and daughter Linda Louise (Merritt) Hughes. Arthur enjoyed music from a young age and was a talented self-taught musician. Over his life he wrote many songs which he enjoyed singing and playing on the accordion, guitar, and fiddle. He performed at community events, dances, on the radio, and with his own music group, The River Valley Boys, who were inducted into the New Brunswick Country Music Hall of Fame. Arthur was also presented with the Paul Harris Fellows Award by the Gagetown Rotary Club. Being skilled with his hands, he worked as a carpenter for 30 years at Camp Gagetown. He was a handyman who enjoyed building, repairing and inventing, and using his skills to generously lend a helping hand to friends and neighbors. He enjoyed outdoor activities such as gardening, fishing, hunting, fiddleheading, boating and snowmobiling. The family would like to thank the medical team at the Oromocto Public Hospital along with Dr. Greg Haines and staff for the wonderful care they provided during his recent illness. Special thanks to Annie Boone who provided a comfortable and welcoming home for Arthur after losing his own home to fire two years ago. A visitation will take place at the Oromocto Funeral Home on Tuesday, October 20th, 2020, from 2:00pm – 4:00pm and 6:00pm – 8:00pm. A memorial service will take place at the Oromocto Funeral Home on Wednesday, October 21st, 2020, at 1:00pm with an interment to follow at the Merritt-Slipp Cemetery in Queenstown, N.B. Due to COVID-19 protocols and restrictions pertaining to social distancing, the service will be by reservation only. To RSVP, you can contact us via email at oromocto@mcadamsfh.com or by phone at (506)357-5100. For those who are unable to make it, the service may be accessed live at https://vimeo.com/event/390114 Donations in Arthurs memory may be made to the St. Stephen Anglican Church, Queenstown, N.B. or a charity of your choice.