Robert Merchant
Another of the Greatest Generation is gone. Robert C. Merchant of 20978 Hadcock Road passed away quietly at his home, under the loving care of his wife Janet on September 1, 2010 at the age of 86.
Bob, fondly known as "Bulldog," was born June 13th, 1924 in Stone Mills, NY and was raised in the Watertown area. He attended Watertown High School where he played football. He enlisted in the navy the day after the attack on Pearl Harbor and served on the USS San Diego - now memorialized as the Pacific Fleet's second most decorated ship. He then served with the inaugural crew of the USS Vicksburg. These two vessels participated in every major battle of the South Pacific including Iowa Jima. He was on ship in Tokyo Bay when the enemy surrendered. Mr. Merchant was honorably discharged from the Navy in 1945 and returned to Watertown, where he met and married the love of his life Janet and raised their six children.
With his brother Cecil, he owned and operated an ice business that served establishments along Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River and later Fort Drum. Mr. Merchant then went to work for his good friend Robert Freeman Sr. at Freeman Bus Company where he was the primary charter bus driver. He was best known by the Watertown High School athletic teams, including his daughter's field hockey teams and the Red and Black Football teams, whose bus he often drove to games.
He retired from Freeman Bus in 1987 as the foreman of garage operations.
Bob enjoyed raising German Shorthaired Pointers and won many awards and championships with his National Champion dog "Tough Mike." He was an avid outdoorsman who spent time in the Adirondack Mountains hunting and fishing in the St. Regis Wilderness Area. He enjoyed following the athletic careers of his daughters and going to the local car races with his sons.
Mr. Merchant is survived by his wife Janet E. Merchant; 2 sons G. Michael Pfister and Charles F. Merchant (Jennifer Kane); 4 daughters, Michele J. Grabill (Bob Grabill), Allison A. Spagnoletti (Anton Spagnoletti), Julie M. Merchant (John Peck), Carol S. Merchant (Toby Frank), 7 grandchildren, Robert J. Merchant, Janelle and Meghan Bailey, Madison and Mallory Spagnoletti, Natalie Peck and Madeline Ruth Frank, his 2 sisters Ruth Neu of Rochester, NY and Doris Keegan of Missouri and niece Judy Moro of Manlius.
The family would like to thank Dr. Sindu, Ingrid Exford and all the staff at the Nephrology Associates for their excellent care and compassion and Hospice of Jefferson County for their end of life care and attention.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Mr. Merchant's name to Hospice of Jefferson County. Cards and letters will be received by mail at 20978 Hadcock Road, Watertown, NY.
A private service for family members will be by D. L. Calarco Funeral Home. Internment of his ashes will be at a later date at Trinity Episcopal Church in Watertown.
