Francis Michael Merrill

SOUTH PARIS – Frank left this earth on Dec. 28, 2024 after a long and courageous battle with stage four cancer. He fought hard and got a couple more years than was expected. Family and friends cherished every second they had with Frank.

Frank was born on March 2, 1964, the third of the four children born to Roger and Sally Merrill.

It was evident from an early age that Frank was a hard worker, and lover of the outdoors. Frank graduated from Oxford Hills High School in 1982. He worked at Ames Department Store during school, and for a while after before starting his career with Reed & Reed in bridge construction.

Frank’s title was “iron worker” although he was skilled in all phases of bridge construction, even getting his SCUBA license to do underwater work. While building a bridge in North Yarmouth, Frank met a pretty young lady who worked at a convenience store and convinced her to go on a date.

Frank and LeeAnn were married and he raised her son, Donnie, as his own. They were blessed with a daughter, Nicole, in 1990. Although the marriage ended, Frank and LeeAnn remained close friends.

After becoming single, Frank moved into the apartment above his father at the family homestead on Hill Street in South Paris. Frank took great pride in maintaining the farmhouse and barn; installing steel roofing, painting the entire complex, and shoring up the fieldstone foundation. Frank also kept a large vegetable garden and generously shared the harvest with family and friends.

Frank would have thrived in any time period. He was the Go-to Guy for fiddlehead, wild herb and mushroom foraging. He hunted early on and enjoyed fishing, especially with his grandsons, until the end. Frank raised laying hens and kept honey bees for many years until the chickens became too physically demanding and winter got the bee hives for the last time.

Frank’s time at Reed & Reed ended after too many injuries made it impossible to continue with the physically demanding work. After a period of healing, Frank joined Dennis Jones, doing carpentry for low income and elderly people. He would install windows, build ramps, and anything else that was needed. This job was emotionally rewarding work that Frank greatly enjoyed.

Frank discovered his true passion of rock hounding and dove in head first. This passion seemed almost genetic as his great great grandfather, Lyman, was the brother of renowned quarry man, Loren Merrill, founder of the Mt. Mica mine. Frank’s father, Roger, is also Frank Perham’s first cousin. Frank carried on the family tradition; mining and working at Dig Maine Gems, doing weekend quarry tours and running the sluice. He also had a fabulous personal collection of rocks. Frank discovered one of the finest examples of Morganite ever found. This specimen now belongs to, and is displayed by, the Maine Mineral and Gem Museum in Bethel.

Frank is survived by his daughter Nicole Merrill Sanders and husband Chris; son Donnie Leavitt and partner Amanda; brothers Steven Merrill and wife Sharon (Leino) Merrill, Joseph Merrill and partner Katie Humphrey; sister Debra (Merrill) Wentworth and husband John; father Roger Merrill; ex-wife and dear friend LeeAnn Merrill; grandchildren, Aiden, David, Hunter, Liam, and Finn Sanders, Lila, and Damien Leavitt, Ariana Elsman and husband Steven; great-grandchildren, Lincoln, Lucas, Leo, and Carlo Elsman; nieces, Sara Wentworth, Karianna Merrill; and nephew Joey Merrill and fiance Soma.

He was predeceased by his mother Sara “Sally” Merrill.

There will be a service announced for a later date. Arrangements are under the care of Chandler Funeral Homes and Cremation Service, 45 Main St., South Paris. Online condolences may be shared at http://www.chandlerfunerals.com.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Maine Outdoor Kids at http://www.maineoutdoorkids.com

and/or Oxford County Mineral and Gem Association, 284 Walkers Mill Road,

Bethel, ME 04217.