Robert J. Merrifield, Jr., 83
Dateline: Mansfield, MA
Robert J. Merrifield, Jr., 83, of Mansfield passed away on Saturday December 25, 2010 at the Caritas Good Samaritan Medical Center in Brockton. He was the beloved husband of the late Doris J. (Williamson) Merrifield, to whom he was wed for 54 years at the time of her death on April 28, 2002.
Born in Athol, MA on January 5, 1927, he was a son of the late Robert J., Sr. and Mildred (Orton) Merrifield.
Bob spent his early childhood living in Athol. His family moved to Mansfield in 1935, where he had made home for the past 75 years. He was educated in Mansfield schools and was a 1945 graduate of Mansfield High School.
Mr. Merrifield proudly served his country in the armed forces during WWII. He began his military service in the U.S. Merchant Marines and later served in the United States Air Force. He was honorably discharged on February 14, 1949 with the rank of Sergeant.
Upon being discharged from the Air Force, Bob along with his father founded and ran the former Merrybobs Snack Bar in Plainfield, Vermont. He later joined the postal service and after 25 years retired as a Postal Clerk at the Mansfield Post Office.
A member of the Mansfield Congregational Church and St. James Masonic Lodge in Mansfield, Bob also enjoyed woodworking projects. He and his late wife Doris enjoyed times spent together making crafts and in his retirement years the couple enjoyed traveling. Mr. Merrifield’s family will always cherish the happy memories of summers spent with friends on Lake Winnecunnet in Norton.
He is survived by his devoted sons Robert J. Merrifield, III and his wife Donna of Pepperell, Thomas A. Merrifield and his wife Sally of Waterbury, Vermont and Ralph P. Merrifield and his wife Nancy of Mansfield. The brother of Alma Ruth Nielsen of Hartford, Connecticut, Mr. Merrifield is also survived by his step mother Evelyn (Prentiss) Merrifield of Mansfield, his adoring grandchildren Adam Merrifield, Timothy Merrifield, Regan Merrifield, John Merrifield, William Merrifield, Katie Frageorgia, Brian Merrifield and Sarah Merrifield, great grandchildren Nathan Frageorgia and Declan Cox, as well as several nieces and nephews.
Visiting hours, to which relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend, will be held on Wednesday December 29th from 4-7 P.M. at the Sherman & Jackson Funeral Home 55 North Main St. Mansfield.
Services will be held at the conclusion of visiting hours on Wednesday evening at 7:00 P.M. at the funeral home. Burial will be held at a later date at the Spring Brook Cemetery, Mansfield.
In lieu of flowers, Bob’s family has requested that donations in his memory be made to the Merrifield Family Scholarship Fund, care of, Mansfield CSF Box 23, Mansfield, MA 02048.
For additional information please visit www.shermanjackson.con