David Stanley Merriman, age 73, of Harpswell, passed away Saturday, December 22, 2018.

David was born in Brunswick on August 30, 1945, a son of Stanley and Gertrude (Bibber) Merriman.  He graduated Brunswick High School in 1964 followed by joining the U.S. Navy.  David served in the elite Ceremonial Honor Guard at Arlington Cemetery from 1966 to 1968 and some of their details included the racial riots in Washington DC and details at the White House.  He participated in many high profile funerals at Arlington, including two of the three astronauts that died in the Apollo 1.  After the Honor Guard, David served on the USS Allagash during the Vietnam War.  He was proud of his service and of being a Veteran.

Following the Navy, David worked for local construction companies along with running his own trash disposal service.  He also worked at the Fuel Depot in Harpswell for many years until the facility closed, he then continued to work in the maintenance field.

As a 38-year old confirmed bachelor he married Jean McDowell in 1983, who had four daughters.  He took on the father role and before long became a proud Papa to many who adored him, including 10 grandchildren.  He drove many of them to play dates, jobs, sport activities, helped them with their studies, taught them to drive and spent a lot of time with them.  He was a caring man and the greatest Papa. David enjoyed telling stories and jokes, spending time with his family and friends, and his pets.

David is predeceased by his parents, sister Mary Brilyea, and step-daughter, Joanne Babbitt.  He leaves behind his wife, Jean; nephew William Brilyea; three step-daughters, Tina Ramsey and her husband Roger, Dawn Moore and her husband Jack, Gary Babbitt, Terri-Lynn Sawyer and her partner Jason Gaudet; 10 grandchildren, Christine Piper, Elizabeth Phelps, Lisa McDowell, Brian Phelps, Stephen Rall, Sandra Flint, Heather Sawyer, Zackary Moore, Jimmy Ramsey, Nikole Moore; and nine, soon to be ten, great grandchildren.

A celebration of life in David’s memory will be held in the spring/summer.  David will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed every day.