Honor Noel Merrihew’s Passing

Senate Resolution No. 1321 BY: Senator STEC MOURNING the death of Noel Henry Merrihew III, distinguished citizen and devoted member of his community WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to citizens of the State of New York whose lifework and civic endeavors served to enhance the quality of life in their communities and the great State of New York; and WHEREAS, Noel Henry Merrihew III, of Elizabethtown, New York, died on Sunday, November 2, 2025, at the age of 71; and WHEREAS, Noel Henry Merrihew III was born to Dr. Noel Henry Merrihew, Jr., and Doris (Hicks) Merrihew in Elizabethtown, New York, on

December 7, 1953; he was the third of four children; and WHEREAS, Noel Merrihew graduated from Elizabethtown-Lewis Central School in 1972; briefly, he attended State University of New York (SUNY) at Cobleskill before entering the United States Army; and WHEREAS, After achieving his certification as a medical lab technician, Noel Merrihew was stationed at Fort Carson, Colorado, where he worked at an Army hospital; upon completion of his service, he returned to Elizabethtown where he worked in the lab at Community Hospital; and WHEREAS, While working at the hospital, Noel Merrihew attended classes at SUNY Plattsburgh, receiving his Bachelor of Science in Chemistry; upon receiving his degree, he left the hospital to become a salesman, selling John Deere heavy equipment for Schroon Lake Tractors in the North Country from the mid-1980s through the mid-1990s; and WHEREAS, When Schroon Lake Tractors was bought by KC Canary, Noel Merrihew remained in the business for a few more years before taking a position with A Johnson Lumber Company; and WHEREAS, In 2001, Noel Merrihew was elected as Supervisor for the Town of Elizabethtown, a position he held for 20 years; he found great personal satisfaction in serving his community and assisting community members through difficulties; he took pride in being fiscally conservative and was always mindful of his responsibility to the taxpayers; he especially enjoyed representing the Town on the Essex County Board of Supervisors; and WHEREAS, Through the years, Noel Merrihew was a member of various community boards and organizations, most notably Elizabethtown Community Hospital, Elizabethtown-Lewis Youth Commission, Elizabethtown United Church of Christ, Elizabethtown Kiwanis Club, and Essex County American Legion Post 551; he also served as Town Assessor from 1992-2001; and WHEREAS, Of all the roles he held in his lifetime, Noel Merrihew's undisputed favorite was that of family man; his playful personality, wit, and mischievous streak enabled him to transform mundane chores into playtime; he was fun and funny, quick with a laugh and full of anecdotes, and always made time for the children; and WHEREAS, Noel Merrihew loved his family and his community; he had a strong sense of civic and personal duty but remained unassuming and kind, making friends easily and maintaining relationships; he was an optimist who always counted his blessings and saw the silver linings in his disappointments; and WHEREAS, Noel Merrihew was unique and irreplaceable and will be deeply missed by his friends and loved ones; and WHEREAS, Left to cherish Noel Merrihew's memory are his wife of 51 years, Hedy; daughter, Chelsea, and son-in-law, Ryan; son, Noel Hartley, and daughter-in-law, Sara; and grandchildren, Samantha, William, and Audie; his absence will be felt by his sisters, Marsha (Ken) and Karen (Jack); sister-in-law, Suzie; Hume in-laws; and nieces and nephews, each with their own "Uncle Noel" bestowed nickname; he was pre-deceased by his parents; brother, Greg; and too many friends; and WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of compassion, Noel Henry Merrihew III leaves behind a legacy which will long endure the passage of time and will remain as a comforting memory to all he served and befriended; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to mourn the death of Noel Henry Merrihew III, distinguished citizen and devoted member of his community; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to the family of Noel Henry Merrihew III.