Theodore J. Merrill

Theodore J. Merrill, 76, of Meriden, died on Saturday, May 9, 2026, at Hartford Hospital. He was the loving husband of Twanetta "Toni" (Witsman) Merrill of 47 years.

Ted was born in Portland, Maine, October 15, 1949, the son of the late Marvin M. and Natalie (Thurston) Merrill. Raised in Wallingford, Ted played attended Lyman Hall High School where he played baseball and was a part of the very first soccer team. Post high school, Ted went on to study Education with a focus in Industrial Arts at Central Connecticut State University. At CCSU, he was also on the baseball team and the first ever soccer team.

After graduating CCSU, he began a long career as an educator having taught Drafting, Architecture, Modeling, and various other courses in Fairfield (Fairfield High, Ward High and Ludlow High); a life long learner he received his 6th year master's degree from CCSU to be the first to implement technical advances in his classrooms, pioneering new methods of instruction earning him state and national recognition.

For the span of his career, he also coached countless students in the sports of soccer, baseball, swimming, wrestling and basketball in Fairfield, CT.

As a coach, he brought his experience as an athlete to his students which resulted in winning multiple conference and state championships in both Soccer and Baseball.

Ted was an avid sports fan for his entire life and for those who knew him well, know that the Boston Red Sox always held a special spot in his heart.

Ted was an avid traveler his entire life. Perhaps one of his favorite trips early in life was a trip to Europe where he represented the USA with a group of collegiate soccer all-stars playing in several countries. Later In life, trips across the United States with friends Paul and Peggy in search of the next antique or train store took up his time.

In addition to his wife Toni, he will be missed by his children and their spouses, Alicia (Merrill) and Anthony Matias, Kevin and Tabatha Merrill, and Katherine (Merrill) and Edward Hayes, his grandchildren, Aidan, Amalie, Ember, Adaline, Anthony, Edward, Lyla, Analise, Liam and Willa. His first married grandchild, Kendyl (Rossi) and Sebastian Vargas Vizcarra and their son, his first great grandchild, Kohen.

He was predeceased by his son, Todd Joseph Merrill.

A memorial service will be held on June 13, 2026, at 1:00 PM at First United Methodist Church, 15 Pleasant St., Meriden, CT. Interment will be private at a later date.

In lieu of gifts or flowers, donations in Coach Merrill's name can be sent to the Fairfield Warde High School Athletic Department, 155 Melville Ave., Fairfield, CT 06825.

Arrangements are under the direction of The Wallingford Funeral Home.

www.wallingfordfh.com