Merle L. French, 87, of Somerville, Maine, passed away peacefully on June 30, 2025, surrounded by his loving family in Richmond, Maine.
Born on April 30, 1938, to Eunice French Hill, Merle was a lifelong Mainer whose strength, generosity, and deep devotion to family and community touched everyone who knew him.
In his early twenties, Merle proudly enlisted in the United States Army. Following his service, he built a life defined by hard work, integrity, and love. He was self-employed in the logging business, working side-by-side with his brothers in the woods he loved. He was also a proud member of the Local 327 Laborers Union and later owned and operated his own long-haul trucking business, a job he embraced with passion and pride.
Merle lived a life of service, both to his country and his community. He was a faithful member of the Somerville Church of God, a proud member of American Legion Post 205 in Augusta, and a longtime volunteer with the Somerville Fire Department.
Merle was predeceased by his mother, Eunice Hill; his brothers Jim, Tom, and Sam French; his sister Helen Taber; his grandson Robert Bowden; and his great-grandson Nick Poulin.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 57 years, Mary French, currently residing at Coves Edge in Damariscotta, and by his children:
• Joan Petit and her husband Scott Petit of Windsor, ME
• Tina Gray and her husband Peter Gray of Windsor, ME
• Donnie Durgin of Richmond, ME
• Donna Tobey and her husband Warren Tobey of Lemon Grove, CA
• Carlene Keithan of Augusta, ME
• Keith Durgin and his wife Mary Durgin of Somerville, ME
• Jennifer Kroesser and her husband Keith Kroesser of Richmond, ME
• Heather French and her wife Angela Dobbins of San Jose, CA
• His sisters Judy French of Somerville, ME and Ellen Barney and her husband David of Norridgewock, ME.
Merle was a devoted grandfather and great-grandfather to a large and loving family:
• Stephanie Poulin and her husband Dan of Lewiston, ME and their children Eska, Dakota, and Keanan
• Megan Pushard and her wife Alycia of CT
• Allison Spurr and her husband Casey of Newington, CT
• Sean Broderick and his partner Taylor Gray of Lawrenceburg, TN
• Peter Gray Jr. and his wife Shelby of Rockland, ME and their children Alden and his wife Kaylynn, Brandon, Brady, and Jacoby
• Tanya Gray of Windsor, ME and her daughter Alyssa
• Amber Keithan of Augusta, ME
• Cassie Nsubuga and her husband John, and their children Zoey and Joseph of Ashburnham, MA
• Melody Coulter and family
• Isaac Tobey and his wife Jasmine, and their daughters Isabella and Julia of Lemon Grove, CA
• Keith Durgin Jr. and his wife Carly of AL, and his children Aidan, Aurora, Carter, Chase, and Issabelle of Jefferson, ME
• Anita Durgin and her partner Cory Child, and their children Kaelyn and Beckham of Hallowell, ME
• Devan Lemar and his partner Stacy Winegardner, and their daughter Vada of Richmond, ME
• Cassie Kroesser and her children Kaylie, Kendall, and Liam of Sabattus, ME
• Sydney Choate-Oliveira and her husband Carlo Oliveira of Bridgton, ME
• Sierra Kroesser of Bowdoinham, ME and her children Hailyn and Owen
• Koleman Kroesser of Richmond, ME
• Espy French of San Jose, CA
Merle’s legacy lives on in every story, every laugh, every lesson, and every warm memory shared among his family. His love was the steady thread that tied generations together, and his presence will be missed beyond measure.
A celebration of Merle’s life will be held on Saturday, July 12th from 2-5pm at the Somerville School Gymnasium, 665 Patricktown Road, Somerville, ME. The family extends their heartfelt thanks to all who have supported them during this time.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Merle’s memory to any of the following organizations, which reflect causes close to his heart.
https://loveachildmissions.org/