It is with great sadness that the family announces the passing of Donald James Stanley Merchant at the age of 81 on November 26th, 2015 after a lengthy illness at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.

Born in Smooth Rock Falls, Ontario, he moved to Port Arthur in early childhood and remained a lifelong resident of Thunder Bay. He graduated from Port Arthur Technical School where he excelled in track and majored in woodworking. His working career began with 20 years at Abitibi's Thunder Bay Paper Mill followed by several years at Port Arthur Motors. Don then went on to work for the City of Thunder Bay in several departments including Transit, Public Works eventually as a store keeper for the Traffic and Street Lighting division until his retirement in 1997. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus for many years and attended St. Andrew's Church and later Corpus Christi Church.

A long-time Montreal Canadiens fan, Don could be found with a jar of dry roasted peanuts and a 'pop' or two to watch Hockey Night In Canada on Saturday nights in the family rec room. He also enjoyed learning how to operate a personal computer long before Windows existed. He loved spending time playing games and having his grandchildren come over to visit. Before his illness, Don enjoyed going for walks and swimming in Loon Lake at the family camp. Don's greatest joy in life was to spend time with his family as that is what mattered most to him. Family gatherings at Loon are one of our fondest memories of growing up and Don was happy to see his grandchildren enjoying the same experiences years later. He had a wonderful sense of humor and was always welcoming to anyone that visited the family home or camp.

Don will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 55 years Anna May Merchant, son James (Lori) and granddaughters Marnie, Natalie and Nicole, son Dan (Debbie) and grandsons Garon and Easton, sisters Rosemary Bell and Kathleen McFarlane along with many nieces and nephews.

He is predeceased by father and mother William and Margaret Merchant, brothers John and Edwin, brothers-in-law John McFarlane and Bill Bell, sister-in-law Jean Merchant and granddaughter Danlynn Merchant (at birth).

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, December 1, 2015 when family and friends will gather in Corpus Christi R.C. Church for the Funeral Mass beginning at 10:00 a.m. celebrated by Rev. Alan Albao and Rev. Rey Ronquillo concelebrating. Visitation for friends will be held on Monday, November 30th from 6-8 p.m. in the Sargent & Son Funeral Chapel, 21 N. Court Street where the Vigil Service will begin at 7:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers memorials to the Parkinsons Society Central and Northern Ontario or the charity of your choice would be appreciated. On-line condolences may be made at www.sargentandson.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Donald Merchant, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.