Merrill Greene Cowperthwaite

He was born in Monticello, Maine on January 13, 1929, a son of Georgia (Greene) and Ellery Cowperthwaite. He was predeceased in 2007 by his wife of 56 years, Marguerite (Maggie) Griffin Cowperthwaite.

Merrill lived his early years with his brothers on the family farm in Monticello. The family later moved briefly to South Portland before settling in Readfield where Merrill attended Kents Hill School, graduating in 1947.

After graduation, Merrill served in the U.S. Navy following World War II. He returned to Readfield and married his sweetheart, Maggie. Together they raised four children, first in South Portland and later on their farm on County Road in Westbrook.

For years Merrill drove tractor trailers up and down the East Coast and across the country. He was fond of saying, “I have more miles on my ass going backwards than you do going forward!” He remembered every road he drove on, every city he drove through, and the people he met along the way. He went on to become Fleet Director for John J. Nissen Baking Co. in Portland, where he also served as president of the company credit union.

In the late 1970s, Merrill left Nissen’s Baking Co. and started his own tractor trailer business, M & M Trailers, which he operated from his farm in Westbrook. Merrill thrived as an independent business owner and, together with Maggie, managed many accounts across southern Maine. His only business challenge was the spring mud season, when he inevitably got his tractor mired in the driveway. But he could always rely on his neighbor, Roger Knight, to come along with farm equipment to tow him out. Merrill often called the Knight Family of Smiling Hill Farm “The best neighbors in the world!”

Merrill and Maggie were members of Trinity Episcopal Church in Portland, where Maggie served on the vestry and Merrill cooked many Sunday breakfasts and set up summer yard sales.

Recently, Merrill lived in assisted living in Maine and in Florida. For the last two years, he lived with his son Mark in Windham where he enjoyed riding around the yard in his scooter, watching the birds, and visits with friends and family.

He is survived by his children, David Cowperthwaite of Wilton; Susan (Bob) Wallace of St. Stephen, New Brunswick, Canada; Merry Shaw of Seminole, Florida; and Mark (Kim) Cowperthwaite of Windham; ten grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and a brother, Stephen Cowperthwaite of Mt. Vernon.

In addition to his wife Maggie, he was predeceased by his brothers, Gerald and Frank Cowperthwaite, and also by his friend Pauline (Polly) Goss who was a dear companion in his later years.

A Celebration of Life will be held 11 am Saturday, June 24 at Unity Center for Spiritual Growth, 54 River Road, Windham. Interment will be at Readfield Corner Cemetery, Readfield.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Merrill’s name to the Readfield Historical Society, 739 Main Street, Readfield, Maine 04355.