Gloucester Alumni

SEABROOK, N.H. — Michael K. Merchant, Jr., 54, of Seabrook, N.H., died suddenly on Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2010 at Exeter Hospital, with loving family by his side.

He was born May 4, 1955 in Gloucester, a son of Michael K. Merchant, Sr. of Gloucester and the late Nancy E. (White) Merchant. Raised in Gloucester, Michael graduated from Gloucester High with the class of 1973. He married his high school sweetheart, Diane (Dunn) Merchant more than 30 years ago and the couple settled in Gloucester to raise their family. Michael and Diane moved to Seabrook, N.H. 22 years ago and he went to work as a technician for OSRAM Sylvania of Exeter.

Michael was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He was an extremely hard working man and taking care of his family was the most important aspect of his life. His grandchildren meant the world to him. Michael was a huge Harley Davidson fan and attended motorcycle week in Laconia whenever he got the chance. He loved hunting and fishing, the outdoors, and enjoyed working on cars and doing carpentry jobs throughout the seacoast.

In addition to his wife and father, Michael is survived by sons, Michael Merchant, III, of Newmarket, N.H., Matthew Merchant of Seabrook, N.H.; daughter, Melissa Merchant of Seabrook, N.H.; brother, Dana Merchant and his wife Debbi of Kingston, N.H.; sisters, Kathryn Sullivan and her husband Larry and Susan Durrell and her husband Dan, all of Hamilton; grandchildren, Kaitlyn, Lauryn, and Madelyn Merchant; niece, Tricia Monteiro; nephews, Douglas Sullivan, Benjamin Durrell and Travis Durrell; and dear friends, Dave Curtis and Tim Deshais.