Michael P. Merritt ’65

Michael P. Merritt ’65 passed away June 28, 2015. Mike married Claire in 1978 and they started married life in Connecticut, moving to Hamilton Hollow Road in Sandgate, Vermont, many years ago. Claire spoke of Mike’s sense of place and love of the mountains and the trails they followed with their much-loved golden retrievers. Michael was born in Hartford, Connecticut, son of Pete and Mary (Skeats) Merritt. Michael was educated at the Kingswood School in West Hartford, Connecticut, before coming to Dartmouth. For many years he was a French teacher at Deerfield Academy and Westminster School after the family’s move to Vermont. He became fascinated with computers early on and was a programmer in Connecticut and then at the Stratton Ski Resort. For many years he sang with the Battenkill Chorale in Cambridge, New York, and loved to write. In addition to Claire, he is survived by godchildren Lauren and Robin; brother Tucker and his wife, Donna; sister Susan; and nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. Funeral services were held July 7, 2015, at the First Congregational Church in Manchester, Vermont. Memorial gifts in Michael’s memory may be made to the First Congregational Church in Manchester or Second Chance Animal Shelter, c/o Brewster & Shea Funeral Service, P.O. Box 885, Manchester Center, VT 05255.