Robert Michael Merrick

PORTSMOUTH, RI - Robert Michael Merrick, DDS, MD, 68, retired general surgeon of Sea Meadow Farms, Portsmouth, RI, died on Wednesday, June 22, 2005, at St. Annes Hospital, Fall River, MA. He was the husband of Marjorie Ann Ayers Merrick. Born in New York City, NY on June 16, 1937, he was the son of the late Robert Vincent and Bernadette Flynn Merrick. Dr. Merrick graduated from Providence College in 1959 and St. Louis University Dental School in 1963. He then completed his dental internship at the Hospital for Joint Disease in New York City. His education continued at New York Medical College, graduating in 1969 followed by a surgical residency at St. Vincent?s Hospital in New York City. During the Viet Nam war he served in the US Navy as a Medical Corps surgeon in Newport, attaining the rank of Commander. Dr. Merrick then opened his own practice in General Surgery at Charlton Memorial Hospital and St. Anne?s Hospital in Fall River, MA. He was a former member of the Board of Directors at St. Annes Hosptial and the Fall River Medical Society. Dr. Merrick was a member of Ida Lewis Yacht Club where he enjoyed competitively sailing Shields #39. He also enjoyed auto racing, primarily Autocrossing events. Besides his wife of thirty six years, he is survived by his children Robert Michael Merrick III, US Olympic Silver Medalist in sailing of Branford, CT, Michael Galvin Merrick of New York City, NY and Portsmouth, RI, Colin Flynn Merrick of Portsmouth, RI, and Marjorie A. ?Muffy? Cotter of Old Greenwich, CT, a son in law Nicholas Cotter, his sister Joan Egan of Wellsey, MA and Indian Wells, CA, and his grandsons Colin Cotter and Michael Cotter both of Old Greenwich, CT. His funeral services and burial will be private. Donations in Robert?s memory may be made to Hudner Oncology Center, c/o Director of Development, St. Annes Hospital, 795 Middle Street, Fall River, MA 02721.