ORLEANS Gilbert Merritt died at home surrounded by his family on July 21, 2020 after a two year struggle with cancer. Gilbert was born on April 20, 1942 in Wilmington, NC to Ella May and Ben Merritt. He grew up in Concord, NC and graduated from the University of North Carolina in 1964. He married Elizabeth Whitefield on August 14, 1965. Following two years of graduate school at UNC the Merritts moved to Cleveland, OH where Gilbert worked as a chemist with Eveready Battery Co. During his 33 year career with Eveready the Merritts lived in Berea, OH, Danbury, CT, St. Louis, MO and Hong Kong. Gilbert retired in 1998 as Vice President of Technical Marketing with Energizer.
In 2001 the Merritts moved to Cape Cod where they had vacationed for several years. Drawing on his love of scouting, kayaking and the outdoors he worked for ten years at Eastern Mountain Sports in Hyannis. In his retirement years he enjoyed traveling with Elizabeth, family and friends. He was a member of several town committees in Orleans and a devoted volunteer for Habitat for Humanity and the Museum of Natural History in Brewster. Gilbert was an active member of The Church of the Holy Spirit in Orleans.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Elizabeth, his sons Michael and Thomas and his wife, Jackie and his granddaughter, Lila and his sister, May Benson.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to: St. Fiacre Fund of The Church of the Holy Spirit in Orleans, or Cape Cod Museum of Natural History in Brewster, MA or Habitat for Humanity of Cape Cod, Yarmouthport, MA. A celebration of his life will be held in the fall at The Church of the Holy Spirit.
For online condolences please visit www.nickersonfunerals.com.
