David Bradford Merrill

David Bradford Merrill, age 95, passed away peacefully after a long illness on Tuesday, August 19th, surrounded by family. He was born April 28, 1930 in Hartford, Connecticut, to Donald and Jane (Towle) Merrill. Living on Fern Street in West Hartford, as a child he bicycled all over the region and boated on the Connecticut River. From early childhood on, he spent many summers in the town of Oak Bluffs, on Martha's Vineyard, later bringing his family there. In the early 1950s, he served with the U.S. Army, stationed in Germany. He returned home to study at UConn, before becoming an instructor at Central Connecticut State University, settling in Plainville with his wife Ilga, from Riga, Latvia, and establishing a household. He taught for many years at CCSU, teaching industrial arts, retiring in 1986. He finally fully retired to pursue home life and his many hobbies, which included reading an extensive personal library, listening to opera, walking along with his wife while looking for arrowheads and other artifacts in local fields, and working with wood, especially carving and model-building, producing a variety of wooden chains, dollhouses, animals, boats and other works of art for as long as he was able. He was a devoted husband and a good father to his children. He is survived by his two sons, Dailis Merrill and Talis Merrill. He wished no memorial service, but to be remembered by friends and family. The Bailey Funeral Home of Plainville has been entrusted with the arrangements. To leave a message of remembrance, please visit www.Bailey-FuneralHome.com. To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of David, please visit our Tree Store.