George S. Merrill

George S. Merrill

Sydney

We regret to announce the peaceful passing of George S. Merrill, age 94, on Friday, August 14, 2020 at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Sydney.

Born in Dominion, he was the son of the late Clifford and Isobel (MacDermid) Merrill.

George is survived by his wife of 69 years Marjorie (Scott) Merrill, daughter Marilyn Jean (Gerald) Lamey, granddaughters Allison (Paul) MacKenzie, Jennifer (Andrew) Tew, great grandchildren Briar, Eli, Arden and sister-in-law Marilyn (Scott) MacDougall.

He was predeceased by his son Geordie, a sister who died in infancy, brother-in-law Jim MacDougall and brother-and-sister-in-law Jack and Carole Scott.

George was employed in the local coal industry, initially as a Surveyor. Later in his career, he spent many years travelling the Collieries in Cape Breton and Thorburn as a Field Engineer. He co-authored a paper on mining for which he was awarded the “Leonard Gold Medal” by the Engineering Institute of Canada and a citation was also received from the Nova Scotia Mining Society. He retired in 1986 as Administration Manager at Prince Mine.

He was active in musical circles and was a founding member of The Men of the Deeps. He performed in many of the Sydney Rotary productions, sang with the Glace Bay Glee Singers and The Breton Chorus. As an active member of the United Church, he sang in choirs in Dominion, Boularderie and Sydney River.

For many years, he was an amateur radio operator (call sign VE1XS). His love of radio lead to announcing the Sunday news on CHER and CJCB radio stations. In retirement, he enjoyed travelling with his wife Marjorie. He also enjoyed motorcycling, but most of all, he enjoyed sailing with his family on the Bras d’Or Lakes aboard his Aloha sloop “Forever Young”.

There will be no visitation. A private family service and burial will be arranged at a later date.

He will be missed.

Funeral arrangements are under the care and direction of W.J. Dooley Funeral Home, North Sydney.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.wjdooley.com

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