Harry Douglas Merchant

Harry Douglas Merchant, 69, of Lebanon, died on Tuesday, November 8, 2011 at the H.D. Goodall Hospital in Sanford.Harry was born in Gloucester, Massachusetts on March 29, 1942 to Orrin and Marjorie (Robinson) Merchant, where he grew up and attended local schools. Following school he served for six years in Battery A, 1st Battalion, 102nd Artillery of the Army National Guard of Massachusetts where he attained the rank of sergeant. Harry was employed for 25 years at the Kittery Trading Post where he worked in the firearms and ammunition department. He was an expert in obsolete ammunition and reloading and known as the "reloading guru." He retired from Kittery Trading Post about eight years ago and began driving the special education bus for S.A.D. 60, where he worked up until his death.Harry was an avid outdoorsman and hunter. He was an accomplished marksman and held the State of Maine title for silhouette shooting with a pistol for many years. On Sunday mornings he and some of his friends would often go to the range to go shooting. He was a member of the Sanford/Springvale and North Berwick Fish and Game Associations and the Thompson Center Association. He was also a model railroad enthusiast, enjoyed photography and attended Curtis Lake Christian Church in Sanford. He will be remembered as a loving husband and father who enjoyed spending time with his family and will be dearly missed.Harry was predeceased by his parents and by a brother, Leonard Merchant.Surviving are his wife, Alice Merchant of Lebanon; four children, Dawn Merklin and her husband Donald of Elba, AL, Darrin Merchant of Gloucester, MA, Scott Merchant and his wife Karen of Gloucester, MA and Sarah Merchant of Lebanon; a sister, Emily Smith of Rutland, MA; six grandchildren, Violet Dixon of Brattleboro, VT, Casey Littlefield of Tacoma, WA, Christopher Sullivan of Seattle, WA, Jessica Merklin of Elba, AL, Ruth-Mary Merklin of Elba, AL and Thomas Merchant of Gloucester, MA and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, both in California and Massachusetts. A memorial service will be held at 3:00 PM on Sunday, November 27th at the Curtis Lake Christian Church located on Curtis Lake Drive in Sanford.Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider the Ronald McDonald House of Portland, Maine, 250 Brackett Street, Portland, ME 04102 or the American Heart Association, 51 US Route 1, Suite M, Scarborough, ME 04074.Arrangements are under the direction of Carll-Heald & Black Funeral Home in Springvale.To leave a message of condolence for the family please click on the condolences tab to the left.