Richard Clare Merritt

It is with profound sadness that we share that Richard “Dick” Merritt passed away peacefully at home on Bella Lake on Sunday evening, March 15, 2026, as his beloved wife, Elayne and son David tucked him into bed.
Born with a natural talent for engineering and mechanics, Dick graduated from Carleton University and went on to a long and inventive career that included early entrepreneurial ventures, work at General Electric in Barrie, Algonquin Industries in Huntsville, Black & Decker in Brockville, Moyer Diebel in St. Catherines, Polytech Netting in Orillia and finally at Honda Manufacturing in Alliston. Known for his creativity and resourcefulness, he was always buildinor fixing something, from patented technologies to restored boats and finely crafted furniture that filled the family home. Bella Lake was at the heart of Dick’s life, where he waterskied, towed generations of family and friends behind his beloved boat and ultimately designed and built the timber frame home that will stand as his legacy for years to come. He loved skiing, time on the water, and quiet hours in his workshop, and he was the neighbour who showed up with his Kubota tractor whenever there was a driveway to clear or a storm to clean up after. Above all, Dick was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, whose easy-going nature, booming laugh, and enduring sense of humour remained with him throughout his journey with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP). He faced his illness with grace and dignity, supported by the unwavering care of his wife, his close-knit family, and an extraordinary circle of friends and caregivers who helped him fulfill his wish to remain at home on Bella Lake Dick (Richard) will be deeply missed by his devoted wife of 54 years, Elayne (nee Patterson); his boys Stuart (Erci), David (Fany), and Phil (Della); and his granddaughters Emma and Mackenzie (Marshall). He is also lovingly remembered by his brother Doug (Gilberte) and sister Barb (Norm) as well as his extended family, including cousins, nieces, nephews, and a wide circle of dear friends and neighbours from the Limberlost community. Special thanks to our Peruvian family—Tali, Eldi, Ander, Nelly, and little Isaac—who encircled him with love in his final years.
I would like to conclude this tribute with an important quote from Emma:  Papa is the best man ever and the best grampa that ever lived!

Celebration of Life for Dick Merritt

Saturday, June 20th, 2026, at the Hidden Valley Resort Muskoka near Huntsville.  2:00 pm to 5:00 pm

Donations

In lieu of flowers, for those who wish, there are three charities that are close to our hearts and donations in memory of Richard (Dick) Merritt would be welcomed by the family for those looking for a way to contribute

The Mabel Hart Brook and Marion Hill Memorial Foundation (locally know as Bella Beach)

There are two options for donating:

Donors can send an etransfer to: mhbmh.treasurer@gmail.com
In the notes of the etransfer, please indicate that it is in memory of Dick Merritt.
They will issue donation receipts in early 2027.

As an alternative, donors could also use Canada Helps:
https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/mabel-hart-brook-and-marion-hill-memorial-foundation/
In this case, the foundation will lose a small percentage but CanadaHelps looks after issuing the donation receipt right away.

University Health Network, Rossy PSP Research Clinic (Research into Progressive Supranuclear Palsy)

For the UHN online donation:

Please visit the website: UHNfoundation.ca/tribute
Once on the donation page, locate the drop-down box labeled “Direct my gift to:”
Choose the option “As directed by next of kin/obituary”
Then Enter 'Richard' and 'Merritt' in the following screen for first and last name prompts
This option will ensure it is directed to the PSP clinic

For the UHN donation by cheque or call 416-603-5300:

Please make payable to: UHN Foundation.
In the memo line, or on a separate sheet of paper, please write "In memory of Mr. Richard (Dick) Merritt, as directed by next of kin/obituary"
Mail cheque to:
UHN Foundation
R. Fraser Elliott Building
5th Floor, 5S-801
190 Elizabeth Street
Toronto ON  M5G 2C4

The Huntsville Hospital Foundation – Raise Muskoka (for our new hospital)

https://huntsvillehospitalfoundation.ca/matching/

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Richard Clare Merritt, please visit our floral store.