MEREDITH --- John P. Merrill, 93, formerly of Center Harbor and New Hampton, NH, passed away on Sunday, August 9, 2026, at Compass at Forestview, in Meredith, NH.
John was born on February 20, 1933, in Concord, NH, the son of the late Bernard E. Merrill and Pauline (Swain) Merrill.
John attended a one-room schoolhouse, New Hampton Elementary School (Fiske School), just about a mile from his family home. Later, he would bike 3 miles to the Bristol High School where he graduated in 1947. He worked for Clark’s Dairy during his high school years. John was accepted into the UNH Thompson School to study agriculture and studied for a year before being called to serve in the Army for the next six years touring through Korea, Alaska and Japan. Once he returned home; John worked back at the farm for nine more years.
John began his long career with the Center Harbor Post Office in 1967, retiring in 1992. He was a volunteer with the Center Harbor Fire Department from December of 1960 until retiring in January of 1989. John served as Assistant Chief for thirteen years.
He was involved with 4-H from 1942-1989. John started as a member, with his mother serving as a leader, and later a leader himself receiving numerous awards over the years. He also held a Federal Bird Banding permit through the U.S. Department of Interior for over 60 years.
John was a faithful steward of the Center Harbor Congregation Church. He had been a deacon, trustee, auditor, church school teacher, member of the Board of Christian Education, leader and mentor for several confirmation classes, and had fostered children through Plan International.
John is survived by his brother Clarence “Pete” Merrill and his wife Judy, of CT; his sister Mary Merrill Blodgett and her husband James, of CA; his brother-in-law Russell Woodard, of Colebrook, NH; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, John is predeceased by his sister Ann Merrill Woodard, who passed in 2019.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, August 23, 2026 at 2:00pm at Center Harbor Congregational Church, 52 Main St., Center Harbor, NH.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests the memorial donations in John’s name be made to the Center Harbor Congregational Church, 52 Main St, Center Harbor, NH 03226 or the New Hampshire Audubon Society, 84 Silk Farm Rd., Concord, NH 03301.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services/603Cremations.com, 164 Pleasant St., Laconia, NH, 03246, is assisting the family with arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial, please visit wilkinsonbeane.com.