16-term Alderman Carleton Merrill, 88, passed away today. Here is the Wicked Local story and here is the Newton Patch story.
16-term Alderman Carleton Merrill, 88, passed away today. Here is the Wicked Local story and here is the Newton Patch story.
I am very sorry to hear this news. I sat next to Carleton as an alderman, and he was a very wise and caring man. He cared deeply for this City, and its residents. He was also particularly tuned into the needs of he elderly and effectively gave them a voice in City Hall. He will be very much missed.
An incredible public servant.
Carleton was a true gentleman. And loved Newton.
This is a big loss. Just wandering how he passed? Anyone know?
Alderman Merrill was such a nice man. Gentleman is the perfect word to describe him. I still have the wooden dollar he passed out as part of his last campaign for the Board of Alderman.
What a gentleman. What a great guy.
I remember when we first invited Aldermen Merrill to the TAB 15 years ago or so for an endorsement interview. We didn’t endorse him but unlike, well, just about everyone else, he never held a grudge. He was always happy to see you, always giving away those Vote Merrill wooden nickles.
I always felt Aldermen Merrill deserved a parade for all he did for our city and especially for Newton’s veterans. I hope it happens.
I hope Newton has a Carleton Merrill Parade.
Carleton was truly one of Newton’s best for so many years. I remember meeting him at a meeting of the Human Rights Commission about 25 years ago and being struck by his thoughtfulness and commitment to public service. He was truly a gem.
Carlton was a true gentleman. His trademark was listening, even as his hearing waned in later years. That and his tireless devotion to Newton.
RIP, Mr. Merrill. You served the City of Newton well. Your kind smile, tireless devotion, and wooden nickels will be missed.
My sincere condolences to Carleton’s wife and family. Alderman Merrill was unfailingly kind and courteous to everyone, a committed public servant, a tireless advocate for seniors and veterans, an avid NASCAR fan, and a true and loyal friend. He will be sorely missed.
As several commenters noted above, Carleton was a true gentleman. He showed why the people of his period are rightly called the Greatest Generation. His lifelong dedication to his fellow veterans was shown by his diligence in trying to clean up the terribly deteriorated veterans meeting rooms last year and in collecting the dozens of photos, drawings and other momentos of Newton Veterans’ service in the country’s wars. He was still concerned in his last year about the condition of the wax tableaux in the War Memorial and proudly showed off the exhibits there. I will very much miss his calm, stabilizing, kind and common sense presence on Board, but I will treasure my memories of him.
Alderman Brian Yates
According to updated version of the TAB story…
Kind to everyone, always a smile and warm greeting.
A gentle man, but also one who would be quick to speak up to defend those in need.
One of the ‘good guys’ on the planet.
I’m sorry to hear this, and I extend my condolences to Carleton’s family, friends and to the Board of Aldermen. I covered Carleton’s 64th high school reunion a few years ago because he advertised it as the class’s final reunion (which I found both morbid and amusing!), and I spent a good deal of that reunion talking to Carleton. I remember walking away from there being floored by how much I learned about and from him. He truly was a gem.
A very kind man, dedicated to Newton and to public service. Thank you Greg for sharing the details about the wake and funeral, I am sure many people will want to pay their last respects to this good man.
Thanks Carleton for all your years of dedication and service to Newton Corner. My sincerest sympathies to your sister Jane and your family.
Over the years, I’ve actually had far more contact with Jane than with Carlton, but it’s clear that they have both been great people and real class acts.
As a life long resident I do not know the City of Newton without Carlton Merrill. He was a fair and just man and we had some great conversations over the years. I will miss him.
Carlton was a friend and nieghbor and all around good guy