Ernest “Ed” Merrill, 60, of Foxboro, died Friday, July 20, 2007, at Rhode Island Hospital in Providence after a brief illness.
Born in Norwood on July 23, 1946, he was a son of the late Ernest and Geneva (Sprague) Merrill. He was a resident of Foxboro for the past 2 years and formerly resided in Rehoboth.
Mr. Merrill was a welder at Bay Steel in Bridgewater for the past several years. He was a Viet Nam War Army veteran and attained the rank of Specialist 4 and received a Purple Heart.
Mr. Merrill was an avid hunter and fisherman and was a motorcyclist enthusiast. He was a National Rifle Association instructor and was a member of the former Highland Rod & Gun Club in Foster, Rhode Island.
He is survived by a daughter, Patrice Dutra and her husband, Kevin of Rehoboth, a son, Robert Fontaine of Warwick, RI, four sisters, Evelyn Desper of Franklin, Elaine Reeves of Foxboro, Loretta Merrill of Plainville and Linda Mason of Attleboro and two brothers, David Merrill of Pawtucket, RI and Richard Merrill of Dayville, CT.
He is also survived by a grandson, Brandon Fontaine of Warwick, his former wife, Carol (Fregeau) Merrill of Rehoboth and several nieces and nephews.
He was a brother of the late Raymond, Susan and Robert Merrill.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend visiting hours on Tuesday, July 24 from 5 – 8 p.m. in the Ginley Funeral Home of Franklin, 131 Main Street in Franklin. Cremation will take place privately at his family’s request.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Cape Cod National Seashore, 99 Marconi Site Road, Wellfleet, MA 02667.