Merrill A. Rice, 87, passed away on the evening of Feb. 9 in Bath. Born in South Bristol on Feb. 6, 1925, he was the son of Parker and Maude Rice.
Merrill had a long and happy life. He was in the U.S. Army and was a Purple Heart recipient. He worked as a caretaker for most of his lifetime. He was a caretaker at several estates, as well as the Harrington Cemetery in Pemaquid.
He enjoyed coon hunting, golfing, camping and his family. He was a member of the American Legion. He was married to Marie (Benner) Rice and had four children.
Merrill was predeceased by his first wife, Marie Rice; siblings, Mervin Rice, Carrol Rice, Wilder Rice, Sylvia Eugley, Louise Burnham, Arlene Holmes, Edith Gamage and Elizabeth Reed; and son-in-law, Richard Rodrigue.
On April 19, 1997, Merrill married Ellen (Poland) Farrin and was blessed with his second family of five daughters.
He is survived by his wife of 15 years, Ellen Rice; children, Margaret Rodrigue of Bristol, Lorraine Brown of Brunswick, Wayne Rice and wife Cindy of Bristol, and Anne Marie Fogg and husband Brent of Bristol; six grandchildren, Erica Rice, Jacquelyn Rice, Gregory Rice, Jocelyn Rodrigue, Renee Rodrigue and Katie Rodrigue; great-grandchildren, Samantha Rice, Allyson Poole and Wesley Poole; and stepdaughters, Sue Hope of Bristol, Carol Prescott of Brunswick, Roxanne McLain, Debbie Reilly and husband William of New Harbor, and Audrey Benner of Nobleboro. He shared 11 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren with Ellen; and is also survived by his siblings, Amy Poole, William Rice and Walter Rice.
Time to visit with the family 11 a.m. – 12 p.m., Thurs., Feb. 16 at the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main St., Damariscotta. A funeral will follow at the funeral home at noon. He will be laid to rest with Marie in the Bristol Mills Cemetery following the service.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Bristol First Responders, 104 South Side Rd., New Harbor, ME 04554.
Condolences, and messages for the family, may be expressed by visiting www.StrongHancock.com.
Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main St., Damariscotta.
