Maynard Arnold Merits

Maynard Arnold Merits was born September 20, 1932 on his maternal grandparents farm in Ware Township, Kaministiquia, ON. He arrived early so it was a good thing that his grandmother, Selma was a midwife. Weighing in at only 4 pounds, she wrapped him in cotton batting and popped him in the oven to keep warm. His grandfather Oscar made sure the wood stove was a perfect temperature for his tiny grandson. Not knowing if the baby would survive, his father Helmuth asked his young wife Laila “Should I build a coffin or a cradle?” Maynard not only survived but lived 90 more years, passing on November 7, 2022.

Maynard spent his younger years in Nipigon where his father worked as a lumberjack and his mother worked as a cookee in the bush camps. Spending time with his Aunt Helna (Bensons family) and the Hendrickson farm in Kam, he always had fond memories of those times. When he was 11 his father got a job as a police officer and moved the family to Fort William. When Maynard was a bit older his mother went on to become a nurse at McKellar Hospital. Maynard spent his teenage years living in the East End and loving every minute of it, hanging out with his friends at Dubinski's corner store. He attended Fort William Collegiate Institute where he played football, and according to him he was a pretty tough guy. High school was where he also made lifelong friends with members of the Cosmopolitan Club. Being a shy quiet Finlander/Estonian he didn't often go out dancing, but he did like to drink and listen to music with his friends. So off they went to a dance at the Exhibition Hall where the famous Roy Coran Band was playing. Little did he know that a tall redhead, in a tight black dress, with legs that wouldn't quit, would catch his eye. Sharon Ida Murphy, all the way from Port Arthur, ON stole his heart. The long bus ride from F.W. to P.A., and his increasing love for her got him to propose soon after meeting. They celebrated their 70th Wedding Anniversary June 7, 2022 dancing the night away to Mood Indigo Jazz.

In the early 1950's there was a shortage of public school teachers, so the government was offering special courses to create more. Maynard was working at the Olgavy Starch Plant when he decided to go back to school to become a teacher. The first year back at school went well, then his first born Roxanne arrived and he needed to get back to work. He started at Shaws Bakery delivering bread with a wagon and his sweet horse Bonnie. The routes were long, sometimes too long for Bonnie. When she got tired she would head back to Shaws, sometimes running into cars because she was blind in one eye. Maynard went on to teach 2 years in the remote community of Stevens, ON, which is now a ghost town. This small community of 500 people helped to develop his teaching skills and his love of this profession. His young family were happy to be there. He went to summer school in Hamilton to complete his teaching ticket and then came back to Fort William to teach at Drew Street and Crawford School.

In 1965 the Department of Corrections was building a school on the Scott Highway for young offenders. He applied for the job and was hired as the Principal of the school. The inmates were able to learn trades such as electrical, carpentry, welding, plus get upgrading in math and sciences and reading. Maynard remained there until his retirement and always enjoyed his job. His profession was teacher/principal but he was a student his whole life. His hobbies, passions and interests always propelled his burning desire for knowledge and learning. He obtained his Masters Degree from Lakehead University in Clinical Psychology. His main interests was the testing of children with learning disabilities.

Anyone who knows Maynard knows that he loves music. For his entire life he has been involved with playing and listening to music. He started at 14 playing in the city band, and ended jamming with his good friends Tom and Albert. In his 80's he continued learning online and even took a jazz bass course at Lakehead with Martin Blanchet. So many bands, so many different instruments, so many musicians, so many songs. His band was called Good News Jazz Band, he also enjoyed clowning around with the Elks Klown Band, just to name a few.

Maynard also was great with his hands, ask anyone who had received Shiatsu massage treatment from him. He also could handle a hammer and saw. He built three camps on Lake Superior with his sidekick Sharon and their cherished pet Muggins. They enjoyed hosting many family and friends at the camp, skiing, swimming, hiking and of course a sauna followed by a dip in the lake.

His early retirement brought lots of time to spend with his family and to travel, dance, bike and play music all over the world.

Survived by his wife Sharon, daughters Roxanne Merits and Arundel Kine (Chris) and grandchildren Erika, James, Anthony Douglas and Phoebe Kine.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Port Arthur Legion Branch 5, 229 Van Norman Street on Sunday, April 30, 2023 from 2:00-5:00 p.m. Formal memories begin at 2:30. Maynard loved parties so we're putting one on for him. Please come and share some memories, food, music and drinks with his family.

For those wishing to donate in Maynard‘s memory please consider the Underground Gym, Lakehead Unitarian Fellowship and the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra.