Donald Alfred Merrick

SKOWHEGAN – Donald “Donnie” Alfred Merrick, 49, passed away unexpectedly at his residence in Skowhegan with his loving life partner Maria Kelley by his side early Monday morning on Dec. 11, 2023.

He was born in Norway, on Jan. 22, 1974, at Stephen’s Memorial Hospital. The son of Alfred J. Merrick and Valerie (Rawson) Alfano. He graduated from Satellite Beach High School (class of ’93) in Satellite Beach, Fla., with “honors” and attended Brevard Community College in Melbourne, Fla.

He retired as a world class butcher (winning a National contest in Kentucky) and worked at Sea Ray Boats as a master fabricator.

His true passion was the outdoors and painting. He loved music (bass was his instrument and he attended concerts all over) and travel, which saw him visit Europe and most of the United States. Since he was a child, he obsessively learned to fish and hunt from Florida to Maine right up until the end of his life. His Uncle Jeff Rawson (Houston, Texas) is quoted as saying, “I never have to worry about Donnie. You could drop him off in the middle of an unknown wilderness and he would survive. He’s on my team.” When it came to his painting and drawing passion, Donnie won art awards of Congressional Recognition for his works and he sold his paintings at antique shows throughout New England. Donnie had a huge heart and was a giver. He was full of jokes and laughter. He had a special relationship with his “Grammie” Beverly Rawson. Donnie will be missed by so many.

He was predeceased by his father Alfred J. Merrick (62), grammie Beverly Rawson-Dibble (99), uncles Craig (51) and Bruce Rawson (63), nephew Blake George Merrick (14), friends, Dan Petty (46) and Mike Kantner (44) both of Indian Harbour Beach, Fla.

He is survived by Valerie Alfano (mother), Arthur “Artie” Alfano (stepfather), Maria Kelley (life partner) and her children, Billy (son) and partner Morgan, Katie (daughter) and partner Shayne and their children, Jonathan, Nolan, Nason and Bryleigh. Karly Carazo (daughter), John “Braden” Merrick (brother) and his wife Jessica Merrick and their daughter Sage Merrick, Alan Merrick (brother), and his wife Kimberly Merrick and their children Grayson Henry Merrick (nephew) and Morgan Merrick (neice). His sister Beverly Keesee and her children Gemma Keesee and Royce Colby.

A “Celebration of Life” will be held at Skowhegan Federated Church 13 Island Avenue, Skowhegan, Maine 04976 on January 22, 2024 at 1p.m.

His entire family and group of friends would like to thank Donnie for being in their lives while he was here. He was a man of faith and a believer in Christ. Rest well.