Merritt Miller, beloved raconteur of Manchester-by-the-Sea, died peacefully August 19, surrounded by family after a lengthy illness and a life very well lived. He was 87.
Merritt was a tireless, cheerful supporter of the seaside town where he was born and lived almost his entire life. He was president of the Manchester Historical Society and led both the Powder House Hill restoration project (for which he was awarded Volunteer of the Year) and the Seaside 1 restoration. He was an active member of the Manchester Yacht Club; the Essex County Club, where he served as treasurer and president; and the Marsh Rats Shooting Club, where he was skeet champion in 2011 at the age of 74.
The only significant periods Merritt spent away from Manchester-by-the-Sea were for school (Fenn School, Kent School, and the University of Virginia) and his military service. During an Army tour of duty in Germany, Merritt met an American civilian studying piano in Munich. Her name was Linda Dunlap, and she was the love of his life. They married in 1963, moved into Merritt’s childhood home, and raised two children. They loved good food, from fine dining—he and Linda famously took a cross-country road trip to make a coveted reservation at the French Laundry, in Napa Valley—to the lobsters Merritt pulled from the sea and the vegetables they grew together in their enormous garden. They were often seen, in their matching straw hats, walking their daily route, and there was a “Miller table” set aside for them at several local restaurants.
Merritt had an extensive knowledge of wine and jazz, a rascally sense of humor, and a legendary ability to tell a good story, all of which he was happy to share with friends and strangers alike. His true joy, though, was always Linda and the family they created together.
Merritt was predeceased by Linda in 2015 and he is survived by his daughter, Alice (and her husband, Sandy McGrath) of Rockport, MA; his son, Ted (and his wife, Bernadette Carr) of Manchester-by-the-Sea; grandsons Teddy and Azzie Economo; step-grandchildren Sarah and Cooper McGrath and granddaughters Bridget and Jessie Miller.
Burial will be private and there will be a Celebration of Life in the fall. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to the Manchester Essex Conservation Trust.
