Kenneth White Merriam, Jr

Kenneth W. Merriam Jr. 1928-2012 High Point, NC- Kenneth W. Merriam, Jr., 84, died on July 6, 2012 at High Point Regional Hospital in NC. He was born in Chicopee on March 15, 1928 son of the late Kenneth and Nora (Mitchel) Merriam, Sr. Kenneth was raised in Springfield and graduated from Springfield Technical High School in 1945. He was a seaman first class in the Navy and was also in the Air National Guard. He was predeceased by the love of his life, Theresa M. (Desmarais), in 2008, whom he dedicated his life to make happy. Kenneth worked as a milkman at All Star Dairy in South Hadley for 15 years and as a bus driver at Pioneer Valley Collaborative for 14 years, retiring in 2007. He enjoyed woodworking and golfing and was a big fan of both the Red Sox and Bruins. Ken bowled in the Friday night men's league at Shaker Bowl in East Longmeadow, where he won a trophy for bowling a perfect game. Kenneth leaves his two daughters, Laurie A. Williams and her husband David of Chicopee and Lynne M. Merriam of High Point, NC with whom he lived; one brother, Robert Merriam of Springfield; and one step grandson, Jonathan D. Williams of Springfield. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, July 14, 2012, at 9am at the Ratell Funeral Home, 200 Main Street, Indian Orchard, with a liturgy of Christian burial in St. Patrick's Church, 1900 Allen St. Springfield, and burial in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 421 Tinkham Rd, Springfield. Visitation will be Friday, July 13, at the Ratell Funeral Home from 4-8pm. Donations may be made to the American Legion Post 420, 290 East Street Springfield, 01104. For further information, please visit Kenneth's webpage at ratellfuneralhome.com. Ratell Funeral Home 413-543-3836