Obituary
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Bruce Philip Merrill

Date of Death: October 10, 2025

Date of Birth: December 27, 1961

Biography:

Bruce P. Merrill, 63, of South Portland, passed away on October 10, 2025. He was born on December 27, 1961, in Portland, the youngest son of Donald H. and Dorothy A. Merrill. He spent his childhood roaming the woods of Cumberland Foreside and swimming in the ocean at Wildwood beach. On a recent walk along the shore there, he told some of his grandkids of the mischief and freedom he experienced at their ages to accusations that he clearly embellished his stories because they sounded too dangerous, albeit pretty fun too. In his words, he spent most of his childhood outdoors. Perhaps that is what led him to spend decades working at Port Harbor Marine. He took pride in the work he performed there and felt very grateful to work for a supportive company that looked out for its employees. He even worked there for a time with his late son who along with their coworkers probably heard every bragworthy story in existence about Bruce’s children and grandchildren. Outside of work, Bruce enjoyed tending his bountiful vegetable garden and giving away the fruits of his labor to anyone who said yes so that nothing went to waste. It gave him great pleasure to add his own garden fresh vegetables to his recipes. If he was not at work or in his garden, you could find him watching a favorite TV show, the Patriots, or even one of his grandsons playing football. He often walked the Spring Point neighborhood, chatted up every Hannaford employee he came into contact with, perused the aisles at Plato’s Closet, and sometimes even played guitar or wrote the occasional song or poem.

 

Bruce was predeceased by his son, Benjamin “Ben” J. Merrill; his parents; his unnamed sibling; and his dear friend, coworker, and landlord, Melisse J.T. Merlim. 

 

He is survived by his children, Candy M. Emge (her husband Travis), Anthony “Tony” S. Merrill (his wife Kayla), and Katie M. Merrill Kane (her husband Asa); his daughter-in-law, Jennifer E. Merrill; nine grandchildren; his siblings, Judith A. Merrill Giggey, David A. Merrill (his wife Christine), Kevin M. Merrill (his wife Gail), Paul S. Merrill (his wife Carol-Ann),  John “Jack” M. Merrill (his wife Wanda), Gregory “Gig” S. Merrill, Brian R. Merrill (his wife Maddy); his aunt Beverly J. Cummings Merrill; and numerous nieces and nephews.

 

Bruce will be laid to rest at Riverside Cemetery in Yarmouth on Sunday, November 2nd at 1 p.m.