In Celebration of

Allen Samuel & Betty Merritt

November 23, 1922 -  March 30, 2018

Betty Ruth Merritt Allen Samuel Merritt
January 26, 1925 November 23,1922
March 10, 2017 March 30, 2018

Fred and Ann (Patrick) invite you to celebrate the lives of their parents Betty and Allen Merritt. A drop-in Reception will be held on Sunday, June 10, 2018 between 2 and 5p.m. to give family, friends, former colleagues and students an opportunity to mingle and share their favourite memories. It would be wonderful if you could join us.

The Celebration of Life will be held at Turner and Porter, Yorke Chapel, 2357 Bloor Street West, Toronto. Parking is available on-site.

Guestbook 

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Richard Potter (Former student of Al at Humberside Collegiate)

Entered April 6, 2018 from Cambridge ON

Apart from his role as one of my best teachers ever, Al was a link to two other central people in my life: Duncan Green and John Norman, alas, both now also gone. For at least the years 1955-1958, Al and Dunc taught immediately across the corridor from each other and, between classes, they were superb role models of male companionship as they discussed the widest range of questions both important and trivial and, if you were lucky, as you passed by you might be included in the conversation. John was my contemporary (a Runnymede Collegiate student) who later became a young colleague and great admirer of Al. The three men represent the very best in the central task of teaching youth. Imagine the number of young women and men they inspired!

Elizabeth Gillan Muir (cousin)

Entered April 6, 2018 from Toronto

Dear Ann and Fred,
Please accept my deepest sympathy on the death of your father. My mother, Bessie Penfold Gillan, Pakenham, Ontario, was a sister of Betty's mother, Ida Penfold Ross of Mt Albert (your grandmother). In those days, travel from eastern Ontario to western Ontario was difficult and I rarely saw my "western" cousins. But your parents, Betty and Al, came to our farm as part of their honeymoon and I was in awe of these two sophisticated cousins. I met Betty again at Edward's funeral (my brother) in Barrie.
You may remember my sister-in-law, Elizabeth Gillan who is now at Carefree Lodge in Toronto.
I know your parents were favourites of my mother.
Sincerely,
Liz Muir (Elizabeth Gillan Muir), emuir@eol.ca; www.lizmuir.ca

Bruce & Barbara Stewart (Friend, co-worker & sometime counsel)

Entered April 6, 2018 from 86 Stibbard ave

Not many can have as full a life as Al had. We met in 1977 when I was retained as a labour lawyer & advisor to the Metro Board after the terrible Toronto Secondary Teachers strike in 75-76. Al had an advisory role to the Board but it soon became apparent that he was a natural negotiator, a role he discharged with great skill until his retirement. Al was a very competitive guy & brought that spirit to the negotiating table. I spent my working life in this milieu & Al was one of the very best. My wife & I often joined the Merrits in a friendly social game of bridge or tennis. Forget the "social" this was competition! Al lived a full, active life & I'm so glad we had a chance to review our many memories together last Fall before my wife & I headed south. My condolences to his Family. You had a great father.

Ruth Schmidt (Cousin of Betty, Ann and Fred)

Entered April 6, 2018 from Mississauga, ON

Our sincere condolences to Fred and Ann. I would love to connect with Ann and Fred if you wish to send me an email. Your parents will be dearly missed. My sister let me know of Betty's passing but it was after her death that I heard so I didn't know how to connect with you at that time so trying this email this time! Please also let me know the date of the Celebration of Life service.

Thom Norris (former student)

Entered April 8, 2018 from Toronto

As one of Al Merritt'sstudents almost 70 years ago, I am pleased to have maintained more recent contacts with him at alumni luncheons where Al Merritt was always the popular guest of honour . He also renewed friendships of hundreds of former students at Humberside C.I's 125th anniversary last October.

Photos 

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