Former Rocky Hill councilman Brad Merritt dies at 73

Bradford “Brad” Merritt of Rocky Hill passed away peacefully on Dec. 12. He was 73.

Born April 29, 1952, in Trenton, Brad graduated from Trenton High School and attended Allegheny College and the College of New Jersey, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in biology. He married the love of his life, Marguerite, on Nov. 12, 1982.

Brad began his career with the New Jersey State Police as a public safety communications operator. During his time there, he helped design a training program for new operators and later retired as the chief public safety telecommunicator.

An active member of the Shriners Organization, Brad served as a past president and also represented his community as a councilman on the Rocky Hill Borough Council.

A passionate bird watcher and respected ornithologist, Brad was well known throughout New Jersey’s birding community. He served for many years on the board of the Washington Crossing Audubon Society and often led birding trips around the state. He was also the longtime chair of the Princeton Christmas Bird Count and a past president, vice president, and field trips chair of the Washington Crossing Audubon Society.

Brad loved gardening, barbecuing, and spending time with his family and pets, Sheldon, Clover and Mooch. He will be remembered as a devoted husband, father, and grandfather.

He was predeceased by his parents, Milton and Ethel, and his brothers, Weston and Winthrop.

Brad is survived by his wife, Marguerite “Peggy”; his daughter, Marguerite “Peggy” Gladstone, and her husband, Fred; and three grandchildren, Victoria, Elizabeth, and William.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, Dec. 17, from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Kimble Funeral Home, 1 Hamilton Ave., Princeton, N.J. A second visitation will take place Thursday, Dec. 18, from 9:30 to 10 a.m., followed by an 11 a.m. service at Trinity Episcopal Church of Rocky Hill, Crescent Park Ave., Rocky Hill. Graveside services will follow at Rocky Hill Cemetery, Montgomery Ave., Rocky Hill.