William Merk, of Glengarry, Nova Scotia, known to his friends and family as “Bill,” passed away peacefully at the Aberdeen Hospital on Thursday, January 17, 2019. His son and daughter, David and Mandy Merk were at his bedside when he made his final journey. Bill was born to Adel and Joseph Merk in Chicago, Illinois April 17, 1946. He was the middle of three boys: Dick, Billy & Jimmy. His family relocated to Exeter, New Hampshire when he was a young boy. In Exeter, at the age of 12, Bill met Toby Irons, who would later become his wife and dearest, life-long friend. In 1973 Bill and Toby with son David and daughter, Mandy, moved to a 40-acre farm in Glengarry, Nova Scotia and made their home in Canada. Bill became a proud Canadian Citizen! He and his family developed a beautiful farmstead where they raised vegetables and many animals including Bill’s beloved herd of beef cattle. He worked as a carpenter, operated a saw mill and ran a woodworking shop where he made cabinets, furniture, bowls and spoons. Many will remember Bill Merk as a one-of-kind personality, a fiercely independent thinker and a strikingly intelligent man. He had a great sense of humor and a mischievous twinkle in his eye when he made a good joke. He was a generous man who gave as much as he could to his neighbors, family and friends. Bill was a great reader who loved public libraries. He was a musician and he appreciated all good music. His children remember waking up in the mornings in fine weather to the beautiful sound of Their father playing his guitar on the veranda. Bill will be sorely missed by all of his family, neighbors and friends including Toby Irons, son David and daughter Mandy Merk, son-in-law, Andrew Lewis, grandchildren, Ceilidh and Flynn Merk. Niece and family, Karen, John, Iain and Ayana Brough, niece, Nadia Merk, brother and family, Jim and Jennifer Merk, Melissa, Lenny, Emmy, Katie and Billy Merk. The family wishes to extend a very special thank you to Bill’s neighbors in Glengarry who helped with his care while he was ill. We wish to express deepest gratitude to Bob and Pat Matheson, Gary and Doreen Campbell, Glenn Royles, Dr. Winston Makhan and the many wonderful care givers at the VON and Aberdeen Hospital. Your kindness to our father will never, ever be forgotten. We are planning a memorial service in Hopewell for the summer of 2019. Anyone wishing to donate in William Merk’s name should contact the Victorian Order of Nurses, Halifax