MERRITT, Don
January 19, 1933 - January 8, 2011 Don was born in Welland, Ontario in 1933. In 1950 Don joined the Navy where he achieved the rank of Chief Petty Officer. It was in the Navy where he met Dot his future wife of 55 years who was also in the Navy. Dot, having been born in Munson brought Don to the Drumheller Valley in 1961 and he fell in love with it. Soon they established one of Drumhellers' most successful businesses. After retiring as a business owner Don started working with the Corp. of Commissionaires, for which he dedicated 15 years of service. Don fully retired in Oct of 2010, and shortly thereafter: was diagnosed with cancer. Over his lifetime Don was appreciated and loved for his hard work ethic, his love of the Navy, his sense of humour (he loved to tell and hear a good joke), and his love for life. Being a wonderful sportsman, Don participated in various sports and won many awards in baseball, curling, hockey, golf, horseracing and most recently horseshoes. Don loved being in the outdoors: fishing, hunting and camping. His favourite past times were swimming the Drumheller River, and as a racehorse owner the "track", as well as the casino and poker. His nickname was "Lucky Don Merritt". He also enjoyed travelling, exercising and enjoying the many animals that were his companions over the years.
He was very involved with many organizations over the years: the Legion, Elks, Drumheller Golf Course, Curling Club, Sea Cadets, Bowling Club, Montreal Canadians and the Humane Society. He was well known for his generous soul and willingness to help those in need.
Don is survived by his girls, Dot and Denny; his relatives in the Wellland area, Luther and Sandra Merritt and their children and grandchildren; Earl Merritt and his children and grandchildren; Marget Smagada and her children and grandchildren; the granddoggies Angel & Little Bean.
Don's Celebration of Life will be held on Monday, January 17, 2011 at 1:30 p.m. from the Knox United Church, with Jan Richardson officiating. The Celebration of Life reception will be held from The Royal Canadian Legion in Drumheller, AB from 2:00 -5:00 p.m. Memorial Donations may be made to the Drumheller Sea Cadets, Navy League Building, 3rd Ave and 3rd Street West, Drumheller, AB or The Drumheller Humane Society, P.O. Box 1474, Drumheller, AB T0J0Y0
Courtney-Winters Funeral Home entrusted with the arrangements. 403-823-2666
