Edward P. Merriam, 68

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Edward P. Merriam, 68, of 114 Lenox Ave., passed away on Saturday, October 15, 2016, at Berkshire Medical Center.

A longtime Pittsfield resident, he was born in Pittsfield on August 31, 1948, the son of the late Edward and Doris Cetti Merriam. He was educated in Dalton schools and was a 1966 graduate of St. Joseph Central High School. He proudly served his country with the United States Navy from 1968 to 1971. At the time of his passing Ed proudly served the Berkshire County Sheriff's Office as a 911 dispatcher for eighteen years. Prior to that he had been employed at General Electric for thirty-five years.

He was a communicant of St. Charles Church. An avid bowler, he served as the association manager for the Pittsfield Bowling Association where he was also a PBA Hall of Fame and PBA Youth Hall of Fame member. Ed also served as a past president of the Berkshire County Youth Bowling Association. He was a member of the Berkshire County Deputy Sheriffs Association, the Massachusetts Communication Supervisors Association, the Berkshire County Football Officials Association and Berkshire County Softball Umpires Association.

A longtime sports fan, he enjoyed following the Red Sox and Patriots and attending his grandchildren's school and sporting events.

He leaves his wife, the former Sharon L. Dimanche of Pittsfield, whom he married on August 8, 1970, at St. Agnes Church in Dalton; three sons, Edward N. Merriam of Manchester, N.H., Marc A. Merriam of Pittsfield and Michael J. Merriam and his wife Jennifer Powers of Pittsfield; three brothers, David C. Merriam and his wife Margo of Williamstown, John J. Merriam and his wife Kim Knoll-Merriam of Des Moines, Iowa, and Paul T. Merriam and his wife Maria of Pittsfield; his two adored grandchildren, Hannah Merriam and Shane Allessio; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and brothers and sisters-in-law.

Funeral notice: Funeral services for Edward P. Merriam, 68, of Pittsfield, who passed away October 15, 2016, will be held Friday, October 21, 2016, at 10:45 a.m. from the Dery Funeral Home in Pittsfield followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 11:30 a.m. at St. Charles Church celebrated by the Rev. Peter Gregory, pastor. Burial will be private.

Calling hours will be held Thursday, October 20, 2016, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorial donations in memory of Ed may be made to the Pittsfield Bowling Association in care of the funeral home, 54 Bradford Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201.