Peter D. Merchant

Peter David Merchant, 66, died after a long illness, on Monday, August 12th, 2013 at his brother's home in Suffield, CT surrounded by his loving family. Born in Springfield, MA to the late Malcolm and Alta (King) Merchant, he lived in Springfield until he entered the U.S. Air Force in 1970. Peter served as a Hospital Pharmacist beginning in Presque Isle, ME and successively serving in Portsmouth, NH, Thailand, Dover, DE, Spain, Germany and Sacramento, CA before retiring with the rank of Major in 1990. He lived in California for a number of years after retiring and finally returned to the East coast to a home in Cape Neddick, ME. He loved being near the beach where he spent many leisure days. He earned his Pharmacy Degree from the University of Connecticut. Peter was a long-time member of the National Ski Patrol serving at Springfield Ski Club in Blandford, MA - he was distinguished as the very first "Patroller of The Year" in the early 1960s. He loved going on the ski trips with family to places in Colorado, Utah, Idaho and France. He also liked to take vacation journeys to Thailand and recently visited Viet Nam as well. Peter became an avid Red Sox fan years ago and sent out an email newsletter daily to many friends and family. Peter will be sadly missed by his brother John and wife Mary, his brother James and wife Crista, all of Suffield, CT. He leaves behind many extended family members including niece Keri, husband Andy and their two boys, Alex and Ryan, nephew Christian and partner Jessica. Mary's sister Ellen and husband Stephen, and sister Ethel were very close family members who were very supportive during Peter's life. He will be missed by many dear friends in California, Maine, Massachusetts and Connecticut. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, August 14th from 5:00 - 8:00 pm at the Nicholson and Carmon Funeral Home, 443 East Street N., Suffield, CT. The Funeral will be Thursday, 1:00 pm at the Chapel at the Mass. Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 1390 Main Street, Agawam, MA. Peter's family would like to acknowledge and thank the wonderful Hospice staff both in Maine and later in Connecticut for their attentive care. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society, 825 Brook St I-91 Tech Center, Rocky Hill, CT 06067.