Acacia Lodge #49
Building a better world by Degrees
Most Worshipful Brother James Hubert Pike
Sad News
We have received the sad news that Right Worshipful Brother Merrill Henderson, Past Junior Grand Warden, passed to the cellestial lodge above.
1937 - 2014 - Merrill Alfred Henderson, 77, of Moncton, with his loving family at his side, passed away peacefully at The Moncton Hospital on Monday, March 17, 2014. Born in Cambridge Road, PE, he was the son of the late Seymour and Lucy (Richards) Henderson.
After obtaining his high school diploma, he went on to pursue several university courses, with a focus in Human Resources Management. He was employed with CN as Manager of Employee Assistance Programs responsible for the Maritime Region, Newfoundland and the eastern portion of Quebec. In 1995, after almost 40 years of service, he retired from CN and then worked for two years as a Program Manager for Corporate Health Consultants.
Merrill was first elected to Moncton City Council in a by-election in 1999 and was re-elected to Council for the fifth time in May 2012 and has served as Deputy Mayor for five terms. He was Chair of the Finance, Policies and Priorities Committees, a board member of the Codiac Regional Policing Authority (CRPA) and a member of the CRPA Finance Committee. He also served as the member of the Technical Advisory Committee with the Westmorland-Albert Solid Waste Commission, as Chair of the PlanMoncton (Municipal Development Plan) Review Committee and served on the Executive Committee of the Cities of NB Association.
He was a member and Past President of the Moncton West and Riverview Rotary Club, Past President of Moncton Headstart, Past Chairman of the Moncton Headstart Foundation, member of Acacia Lodge # 49, F. & A. M., member of the Probus Club of Greater Moncton and was an annual canvasser for the Friends of The Moncton Hospital Annual Appeal. Merrill was a long-time member of Mount Royal United Church and actively served his church in various capacities. Hardly a day went by that he didn’t go to the gym at the YMCA, where he had been a member since the late 1960’s.
He was an avid supporter of the Moncton Wildcats, enjoyed golfing, spending time at his cottage on PE and time spent with his family and friends, especially his granddaughters.
Merrill will be sadly missed by his loving daughters, Marlene Rose (Phil) of Oshawa, ON and Catherine Geimer (Ralph) of Kitchener, ON; precious granddaughters, Mallarie and Samantha; sister-in-law, Pat Farrell of Moncton; brothers and sisters, Kenneth Henderson (late Marjorie), Lorraine Stewart (Bernard), Eric Henderson, Betty Lou Jordan (Ken Downe), Janice Brown (Mike), Phillip Henderson (Gerri Lynn Arsenault); special friend, Shirley Dutcher; several nieces, nephews and extended family members. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his wife, Mary Elizabeth “Betty” Henderson (2010) and son, Paul (2009); granddaughter, Tamica (2012); brother, Harry and sister-in-law Helen.
Visitation at Fergusons Funeral Home, 1657 Mountain Road, Moncton (858-1995) on Wednesday from 1:00 to 4:00 pm and 6:30 to 9:30 pm. Acacia Lodge # 49 F. & A.M. Memorial Service on Wednesday at 6:00 pm at Fergusons Funeral Home Chapel. A Celebration of Life Service for Merrill will be held at the Moncton Wesleyan Celebration Centre, 945 St. George St., on Thursday, March 20, 2014 at 2:00 pm, with the Rev. Dr. Beverly Daley officiating. Reception in the Church Atrium following the service. Interment will be held at Fair Haven Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers please direct memorial donations in Merrill’s memory to Moncton Headstart, Friends of The Moncton Hospital or the NB Heart & Stroke Foundation would be appreciated by the family. Online condolences at www.fergusonsfuneralhome.com