CORNWALL — Michael A. Merrill passed away on Oct. 28, 2019, surrounded by his beloved family at the age of 81. He was also affectionately known as Poppa, Pappy, Dad, Husband, Cousin and Uncle Mike.
Born in Owings Mills, Md., to Michael and Dorothy Merrill in 1938 and then he moved to Mays Landing, N.J., in 1942. He was a graduate of Pleasantville High School in 1956 and was in the Army National Guard from 1961-1967. During this time he was a Truck Driver for Callahan Trucking and Lehigh Valley Dairy.
In 1975 he moved from his beloved hometown in N.J. to follow his lifelong passion in the gardening industry at Garden Way in Charlotte, Vt. He was a firm believer in the homestead lifestyle, which dovetailed perfectly into this career. Mike and his family worked together to prove that all food could be grown or raised on your own land. On over 13 acres he created expertly managed crops and raised chickens, pigs, cows and horses. The surplus was then sold at the roadside stand on Ferry Rd. To see him working with customers in the stand was to witness pure joy and happiness.
In 1984, sensing Garden Way was coming to an end, he and his beloved Nancy built their dream home on Bingham Street in Cornwall, Vt. They acquired the Country Bear gift shop on Route 7 in Middlebury and created the Pleasant Hill Farm Market. Over 17 years they sold everything from corn to Christmas trees to Amish Wagons. He would go on to distribute produce from Vermont to Pennsylvania. Until his final days he was still canning, making relish and contemplating selling his perfected cookie recipe.
He loved the simple life and could not understand why anyone would want to leave the beauty found in the state of Vermont. His spare time was spent running rabbits with his beagles, cooking, visiting friends and watching his grandchildren’s sporting events. He rarely missed a Red Sox or Patriots game, while keeping an eye on his beloved Eagles.
Michael leaves behind his wife Nancy Merrill, his children Michael (Aurelija), Todd (Kelly) and Angelina (PJ) and his true pride and joys, his grandchildren Caroline, Nicholas, Scarlet, Sedona, Mikayla, Mattheau, Gracie, Lulu and Hudson.
All are welcome to join in a celebration of life for Michael. Visiting hours will be from 4-7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 12, at Sanderson-Ducharme, 117 S. Main St., Middlebury. Services will be at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 13, at New Haven Reform Church, 1660 Ethan Allen Hwy. Burial will follow in the Grandview Cemetery, Charlotte, Vt. A reception will follow at 3 p.m. at the Old Lantern on Greenbush Rd., Charlotte.
Arrangements under the direction of Sanderson-Ducharme Funeral Home. Online condolences at Sandersonfuneralservice.com.◊