John W. "Jack" Merrill, Jr. a resident of Stoneham for 6 years, formerly a resident of Reading for 55 years, died May 26, 2015 at the Massachusetts General Hospital. He was 89 years of age. Jack was born in Boston, Massachusetts on June 14, 1925, the son of the late John W. Merrill, Sr. and Marion (Eastman) Merrill. After high school Jack enlisted in U.S. Army and served proudly during World War II in the Pacific Theater Campaign and was honorably discharged. He worked for Boston & Maine Railroad in the 1950's in the real estate section where he supervised the sale of buildings for the railroad. He then went on to form the J.W. Merrill Real Estate Company in Reading. He then went on to work for Itek Corporation where he was the production control manager in the graphics division.
Jack helped establish the Reading Central Model Railroad Club which was active for many years in Reading. He was a member of Good Samaritan Lodge AF & AM in Reading where he was an over fifty year member and a Past Master.
Jack was beloved husband of the late Elizabeth V. (Fairclough) Merrill. Devoted father of J. Scott Merrill of AK; Richard W. Merrill of Hudson; Kenneth L. Merrill of Peabody; David W. Merrill of Naples, ME; Janet E. Killion and Nancy A. Merrill both of Tewksbury. Cherished brother of Dorothy Wood of Searsport, ME. Loving grandfather of 9 and loving great grandfather of 2. A graveside service will be held at the Charles Lawn Cemetery, Charles St., Reading on Friday May 29 at 10:00 AM. A visitation will be held at the Douglass, Edgerley and Bessom Funeral Home 25 Sanborn St. (corner of Woburn St.) Reading on Thursday from 4:00-8:00 PM. A Masonic Service will be held at 7:00 PM. For directions and on line guest book visit johnbdouglassfuneralhome.com