Justin Haggerty Merritt
Born In: Sydney
Born: December 10th, 1922
Passed in: Sydney
Passed on: October 23rd, 2014
With heavy hearts we, the family of Justin Merritt (Dusty Mullins), announce his passing on Oct. 23, 2014 at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Sydney.
Justin was born in Sydney Mines Dec. 10, 1922, son of the late William and Janet (Haggerty) Merritt.
He lived most of his life in Victoria Mines and he was a very active member of the community. He was a faithful member of the former St. Alphonsus Parish, presently the Parish of St. Leonard.
Justin worked 45 years for Devco and was well respected by those miners who worked with him. He belonged to the Cape Breton Naval Veterans Association and served in the Royal Canadian Navy during the Second World War on board the renowned H.M.C.S. (Haida), a Canadian Destroyer. The Haida was in the Murmansk Convoy run during the war and patrolled the English Channel where he helped in destroying several enemy vessels. The Haida was awarded more battle honours than any other RCN warship during the Second World War.
He was a great Maple Leaf fan; he was also known for carrying gravel from the shore to his driveway (making it the best driveway in Cape Breton) and was quite the bingo player in his time.
He had many friends but was often visited by brother-in-law, Bernard MacNeil and close friends, Martin McKinnon and Michael Campbell.
Justin is survived by daughters, Janet (Ernie) Lefebvre, Kathy (Ron Huestis ) Merritt, Judy Merritt; sons, Justin (Dorothy), Michael (Joann Lloyd); grandchildren, Marc (Shane), Claire (David) and Carl Lefebvre, Zachary and Rebecca Polak; Laura, Jocelyn (Gavin), Kathleen and James Merritt, Caitlin and Justine Merritt; great-grandchildren, Kylie-mae, Jordin, Xavier, Emmanuelle and Leo.
Special neice, Lorette (Charlie) Campbell and sons, David and Robbie (Leanne), and their son, Liam.
Besides his parents, Justin was also predeceased by his wife, Laura MacGillivray and sister, Margaret Prichett.
The family would like to thank the Cape Breton Regional Hospital staff, the Palliative Care Unit and doctors Myatt and D’Intino for their generosity and kindness.
Visitation will be held Monday, Oct. 27, 2014, from 3-8 p.m. at V.J. McGillvray Funeral Home, 380 Smith St., New Waterford. The funeral mass officiated by Fr. Bill Burke will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Tuesday in St Leonard’s Church, New Waterford. A Christian burial will follow in St. Alphonsus Cemetery, Low Point.
All are welcome to join the family for a reception at the parish hall on Convent Street following the interment.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Royal Canadian Legion - Branch 128, Whitney Pier.
Justin was a great husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend to many and he will be greatly missed.
Online condolences to the Merritt family may be expressed through our website; www.vjmcgillivrav.ca.
