Thomas K. Merrill Sr.

  Thomas K. Merrill Sr. Dec. 14, 1939-February 4, 2017   Freedom, NH – Thomas passed away Saturday Feb. 4, 2017 at Maine Medical Center in Portland. Tom died from complications from his surgery.   Tom was married to his wife Diana E. (Biscoe) Merrill for 55 years.  He had 3 children Denise A Merrill who passed away from Breast Cancer a son Thomas K. Merrill Jr and another daughter Andrea Merrill, 3 grandchildren Kevin, Jimmy and Mykala, a brother Carl Merrill, 2 sisters Judith Foehrenbach, and Madeline Murphy, 2 sisters in-laws Barbara Lamattina and Joan Jones, and many nieces and nephews.   His sister in-law Barbara said he was like a father more than a brother in-law, he was a man of few words but when he spoke they were kind and meaningful. There will be a big void in our life but he will be with his daughter Denise.   Kevin Tom’s first grandson says no one could have asked for a better grandfather, he taught me how to hunt and fish. He made it to all my baseball games.  He was a great role model and will be missed very much.  He will live in my heart forever.   Andrea his youngest daughter says my father was an amazing man and great father. He always made sure we had what we needed.  I loved animals and on my 6th birthday I wanted a pony.  My father rented me a pony for the day and I will never forget how much fun we had on my 8th birthday.  I got my dog Chico.  Daddy you were loved and will live in my heart forever.   Tom his son says my father taught me to be the best man I can be, by example. His core values consisted of being true to your word, without honesty you have no integrity.  From a young age with his guidance I learned to hunt, fish and skills of his trade.  He always had time to counsel me and give me strength and courage to make it through life’s trials.  His strength, integrity, courage and strong commitments to family values are rare.  This earned him the respect of many.  My father, my best friend, my teacher, my mentor.  I was honored and blessed to be your son.   Jimmy his 2nd grandson - My grandfather was one of a kind he was more like a father to me.  We had our ups and downs, many disappointments, but he never stopped loving me.  The last 4 months living with him has been amazing.  I got his respect back and that’s everything to me.  He has taught me I want to be the kind of man he was.  PaPa you will always be in my heart and memory forever.  Thank you for the last 4 months, you will always be with us when we are hunting and fishing.  I love you.   Mykala his granddaughter – My PaPa was a man of few words, but his pride for me always showed brightly upon his face. He was always my silent supporter at my games.  I will always remember our fishing trip to his hometown and how I got to know him even more that day.  It will be a day I will cherish forever.  Thanks to his strength and will to fight I got to see him one last time and I will forever be grateful for that one last squeeze from his hand letting me know he knew I was there.  Not a day will go by without thinking of you.  I love you PaPa you will always be in my heart.   If anyone would like to make a donation Tom would like it to be the DAV or Jen’s Friends.   The Baker-Gagne Funeral Home and Cremation Service of West Ossipee is assisting the family with the arrangements.