Thomaston - Merritt Porter Turrell, 79, of Branch Rd, entered into peaceful rest on Sunday, September 27, 2009 while surrounded by his loving family at home after a long and courageous coexistence with cancer. He was the husband of Joan (Clyne) Turrell for fifty-eight years. Mr. Turrell was born in Waterbury on March 17, 1930, son of the late Herman Merritt Turrell and Leslye (Porter) Turrell West. He attended schools in Waterbury, Oakville and graduated from James Morris School in Morris, CT. He joined the US Army and served during the Korean War and became a Cpl. in the motor pool while stationed in Germany. Merritt worked for Murphy Advertising of Waterbury, Plume and Atwood of Thomaston and then settled in at Tech Systems as a maintenance supervisor as well as a safety and OSHA inspector where he retired in 1995 after 24 years. He liked working in his yard, gardening and raising roses, bird watching and loved animals. He also was an avid golfer and played on the Tech Systems Golf League. He and his wife, Joan traveled to Florida and spent many winters at Fort Myers Beach. Merritt was a member of the Thomaston Stag Club, The American Legion of Morris, The First Congregational Church of Thomaston and the Senior Citizen Council. Besides his wife he leaves a daughter Diane Turrell Graf and her husband , Jim of Florida, a son, Robert Merritt Turrell and his wife Carol Ann Markham Turrell of Thomaston, a sister, Nancy Turrell Ziello and her husband Robert of California, three granddaughters, Allison Barber of Florida, Lauren and Heather Turrell both of Thomaston, a grandson, Jonathan Graf, currently serving in Iraq, two great grandchildren, Jordan and Ian Barber both of Florida and several nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank Dr. Joseph Bowen and Dr. Michael Flanagan and their wonderful staff for their excellent care and concern given to him. Memorial gifts in his name, may be made to the Harold Lever Cancer Center, 1075 Chase Parkway, Waterbury, CT 06708. Arrangements: Friends and Family are asked to gather for a graveside service to be held with military honors, on Saturday October 3, at 10:00 A.M. in Hillside Cemetery of Thomaston.

Service Information Cemetery Hillside Cemetery Center Street Thomaston, CT -->