ELMER LORRAINE MERRITT

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ELMER LORRAINE MERRITT 1922 - 2014 Peacefully on Monday, June 9, 2014 at Poseidon Care Centre, with his loving family by his side, Elmer passed away at age 92. He is survived by son Glenn, daughters Lorraine Lester (Keith Cameron) and Carroll Perich (Doug), son Brian (Maguy), grandchildren Kristie, Sherry and Sean Lester, Melanie and Luc Livolsi-Merritt, and many nieces and nephews. Elmer was predeceased by his beloved wife Wilma in 2008, his parents Domna and Chester, and his six siblings. Born in May 1922 on the family farm near Rossburn, Manitoba, Elmer later lived in Russell before moving to Winnipeg in the 1930s where he graduated from Gordon Bell High School. A misdiagnosis of tuberculosis prevented him from enlisting for the Second World War, so he worked for the Canadian Pacific Railway. He met Wilma in October 1942, they married in August 1947, and shortly after they moved to Chicago, where Elmer studied electronics and later worked for the Wurlitzer Corporation. In 1951, they returned to Winnipeg where he immediately built the family home on Fisher Street. Over the next eight years, their family expanded to four children. Elmer was an active member of Churchill Park United Church, formerly Riverview United, where he and Wilma were married. He was also a member of Millennium Lodge No. 182, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. Elmer spent more than 25 years working with appliance manufacturer Moffats Limited and ended his career teaching major appliance repair at Red River College before retiring in May 1987. The family cottage at Star Lake, which Elmer built in 1958, was a special place and he was happiest when the entire family gathered there. We're grateful he was able to go there up to last summer. Elmer was an accomplished drummer and played piano by ear. In retirement he played drums with church musical groups and two seniors' bands - The Naturals and The Notables. No matter what he was doing, you'd hear him humming a tune. Soon after retirement Elmer and Wilma travelled to the South Pacific for two months and later, as snowbirds, they spent many winters in Florida, Hawaii and Arizona. Following mom's passing, Elmer lived in his home until 2012, moved briefly to assisted living at Riverwood Square, and was living at Poseidon Care Centre at the time of his passing. Many thanks to staff for their care and compassion. To the end, Elmer was a happy, gentle soul, well liked by all and accepting of changes in his life. Above everything, he was a dedicated family man - a devoted husband and a wonderful, loving and caring father and grandfather - always concerned for the best interests of his family. He will be dearly missed. We love you Dad and thank you for all you've done for us. A celebration of Elmer's life will be held at 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, July 16 at Churchill Park United Church, Beresford Avenue at Nassau Street. In lieu of flowers, those wishing can make a donation in Elmer's memory to Churchill Park United Church, CNIB, the Alzheimer Society or a charity of your choice.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 12, 2014