John A Merritt, son of Adele Hamwey Merritt and Wilbur M. Merritt (deceased) of Holliston, died in his home in Natick the night of Thursday October 4, 2018.
Born October 17, 1948, he graduated from Holliston High, Boston University, and received a Master's degree from Case Western Reserve University.
John had a varied, fulfilling career: Philosophy instructor at Cuyahoga Community College, substitute teacher at Holliston High, executive director for the Dental Laboratory Assocation of Massachusetts, photographer for the Milford Daily News, owner of Merritt Communications (commercial photography and promotional communications), Mass DEP recycling consultant, coordinator of NESWC (assisting towns and cities with their waste management contracts), as well as two years as Technical Division Director of SWANA (Waste to Energy Division). After retiring, he spent a school year teaching English at the Huaibei Coal Industry Teachers College in mainland China, not learning much Mandarin but making many friends, and thoroughly enjoying himself.
He was also an active civic volunteer, serving many years as a Natick town meeting member and then selectman; also as the Chairman of the Leonard Morse Grants Panel.
An avid Scrabble player and skilled crossword puzzle solver, John was a great talker and loved to tell long stories. He enjoyed the recent glory years of the Red Sox, and earlier was a major Celtics fan.
John looked forward to swimming long distances, fishing, and spending time in Sint Maarten where he made many dear friends. In recent years, he became a great admirer of hummingbirds, building hummingbird feeders for himself and others and spent many a happy hour providing species specific food to woodpeckers, cardinals, titmouses, chickadees, and goldfinches.
John was most of all a friend. He befriended people everywhere and his warm smile, quick wit, and generous nature will be missed by many.
He is survived by his mother, his wife Patricia, and his sister Marsha Shorthose and family: Paul, Geoff, and Andrea.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in John's name to Mass Mentoring (www.massmentors.org) or K1 Britannia (www.k1britanniafoundation.org).