Raymond A. Merkh Sr.

Raymond A. Merkh, Sr., 97, died in his sleep at home in Acton on March 7, 2016. Born February 27, 1919, in Camden, New Jersey, to John George and Lydia Marie (Schlagenhaf) Merkh, brother of Marie Merkh, Lydia (Adolph) Gorr, George (Marian), Walter (Suzanne), Charles (Helen), Paul (May), and Alfred (Doris) Merkh. All but Helen Merkh and Doris Merkh preceded him in death. Survived by his wife of 60 years, Corinne (Woodruff) Merkh, and their two sons, Raymond Jr. (Susan Cowles) and James (Denise), and two grandsons, Cameron Merkh and Scott Garcia. Also survived by his sister- and brother-in-law, Genevieve and Wilson Scotty Scott of Conover, Wisconsin, and by 14 nieces and nephews and their families. Ray was a 50-year resident of Acton and member of St. Matthews United Methodist Church of Acton. He was a mechanical engineer and toolmaker and a graduate of Drexel University Evening College and a longtime employee of RCA. He was also employed by Carlisle Screw & Machine Co., Grainger, American Holographic, and MSI, among others. He enjoyed golf and ten-pin bowling, and the card games Scotch Bridge and Pinochle. More recently, he enjoyed playing Scrabble on the computer. For a number of years he entertained at St. Matthews annual coffeehouse fundraisers, singing silly old songs and telling jokes. Calling hours are at Acton Funeral Home, 470 Massachusetts Ave. (Rte 111), Acton, from 5-8 p.m. on Thurs., March 10. Funeral service at St. Matthews, 435 Central St, Acton, on Fri., March 11, at 1 p.m., with interment at Mount Hope Cemetery in West Acton. Donations in Rays name may be made to either St. Matthews United Methodist Church, 470 Massachusetts Ave, Acton, MA 01720, or to Compassionate Care Hospice, 800 West Cummings Park, Suite 3100, Woburn, MA 01801. Memorial page www.actonfuneralhome.com