Merritt H. Holcomb

GUILDHALL, VT - Merritt H. Holcomb, 91, of North Road, died peacefully at his home Sunday evening October 12, 2008. Mr. Holcomb was born in Enfield, CT, on July 25, 1917, the son of H. Parks and Minnie (Messenger) Holcomb. Merritt resided in the towns of Enfield, Robertsville and Hartland, Connecticut. He attended schools in Robertsville, Hartland, and Winsted, CT. He worked for a time with his father on the family farm and the Holcomb Evergreen Nursery, both in Robertsville. Later he was employed at Benjamin's Garage and Standard Cycle Oil in Winsted. On September 14, 1936 he married Mary Anne Newell in Millerton, NY. During WWII he served with the US Army in the Pacific Theatre. Returning home he went back to work at Standard Cycle Oil and also attended tech school in Hartford, CT. He acquired his license as a master plumber and also worked as an auxiliary Connecticut State Trooper at the Canaan, CT, barracks. On October 1, 1953 he and his family moved to Guildhall and purchased the Mill Brook Farm. He acquired his master plumbers license in NH and VT and worked for a time at Hurlbut's Fuel in Groveton and then started his own business, Holcomb Plumbing and Heating. In 1957 he became an Essex County Deputy Sheriff and was also a former Essex County High Bailiff. Between the terms of John Irwin and Henry Gore he served as interim County Sheriff. In the town of Guildhall he served in many capacities including town constable, tax collector, overseer of the poor, water commissioner, lister and planning and zoning board member. He was also a trustee for the Guildhall Community Church of which he was a member. All his life he enjoyed farming and working with equipment. He also enjoyed golfing with his wife Mary. Family members include a daughter Patricia Rogers of Guildhall; a son James N. Holcomb of Newport, VT; a brother Paul Holcomb of Newport Richey, Florida; five sisters, Jane Short of Gilford, VT, Mary Breault of Durham, CT, Margaret Ratigan of Lee, MA, Phalice Towle of Georgetown, Idaho; Faith Northway of Arlington, TX; six grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife Mary on December 27, 2003, three brothers Parks Holcomb, Emerson Holcomb, and David Holcomb, and a sister Sarah. Visiting hours will be held Friday evening October 17, from 6:00 to 9:00 PM at the Bailey Funeral Home, Lancaster. A funeral service will be held Saturday afternoon at 2:00 at the Guildhall Community Church. Reverend Gerry Piper of Danville will officiate. Burial with military honors will follow in the Ridgwell Cemetery, Guildhall. Donations may be made in his memory to the Guildhall Community Church or to Weeks Medical Center, Middle Street, Lancaster, NH 03584.

Merritt H. Holcomb

July 25, 1917 - October 12, 2008