Daniel Edmund Merritt, a resident of Hebron, NH for 18 years, formerly a resident of Reading for 56 years passed away at his daughter's home in Fitchburg on January 16, 2017. He was 74 years of age. Dan was born in Winchester, Massachusetts on January 4, 1943, the son of the late Fred W. and Mary A. (Foley) Merritt. He worked for Reading Municipal Light Department for 34 years retiring in 1995. After moving to Hebron he worked for the town as a Zoning Law Enforcement Officer and Building Inspector retiring in 2013 after 10 years. He was raised a Mason at Good Samaritan Lodge A.F. & A.M. in Reading and affiliated with Union Lodge F. & A.M. in Bristol, NH. He was a member and Past Patron of Priscilla Chapter No. 52 Order of Eastern Star in Reading where he served with his daughter, Marsha. He was the Past and Presiding Noble Grand of Cardigan Lodge #38 I.O.O.F. in Bristol, NH. Dan was the beloved husband of the late Patricia C. (Stratton) Merritt. Devoted father of Marsha L. Coocen and her husband Walter of Fitchburg, David T. Merritt of Woburn, the late Hope Ann Laundry and Robert E. Merritt. Cherished brother of Marian Young of Pensacola, FL and also survived by several grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. A funeral service will be held on Friday, January 27 at the Douglass, Edgerley and Bessom Funeral Home 25 Sanborn St. (corner of Woburn St.) Reading at 11:00AM. Burial to follow at Wood End Cemetery, Reading. Funeral home visiting hours will be held Thursday from 4:00-8:00PM. A service will be conducted by Priscilla Chapter No. 52 OES at 7:45PM. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in Daniel's memory to Eastern Star of Mass. Charitable Foundation Inc. c/o Grand Chapter of Mass. PO Box 600583 Newtonville, MA 02460 or the American Cancer Society 30 Speen St. Framingham, MA 01701.