February 5, 2013        

HENDERSON, N.Y.  —  Merrill Carpenter Scott, 86, Henderson, passed away Monday, Feb. 4, at the Samaritan Keep Home following a lengthy illness.

Merrill Calvin Scott, 86, Henderson, passed away February 4th, at Samaritan Keep Nursing Home where he had been a resident.

Mr. Scott, a lifelong Henderson resident, was a partner with his twin brother Murray B. for over five decades at Scott’s Garage in Henderson.

Merrill was born Nov. 29, 1926, at home in Henderson, a son of Victor A. and Bessie (Carpenter) Scott. He was active in Scouting in his youth, and the Salutatorian of the Henderson Central School class of 1945, graduating early for military service. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps during World War II and served for two years. During that time, he attended the Nuremburg Trials as military observer and later gave talks to high school students on the event. He was honorably discharged in 1946.

Following his discharge from the military, Merrill completed a program in automotive mechanics at H. W. Smith Technical School in Syracuse in 1949. That year, he returned to Henderson and with his brother Murray assisted their father Victor in construction of the “new” Scott’s Mobil full-service AAA station and garage on Main Street. It replaced the original business begun in 1936 across the street. He also was a bus driver for the Henderson Central School system.

The brothers formed a partnership, M&M Scott, and took over the business upon the death of their father in 1960. The garage was a Henderson landmark and the brothers were an ever-present source of news and assistance – not just automotive – for 44 years until they retired and closed the garage on Halloween night 2004. Counting the years with their father, they worked in the garage for 68 years. Merrill had been an active member of the Independent Garage men’s Association and was a 62 year member of the American Automobile Association.

Merrill was a lifelong member of the Henderson Central School Alumni Association, the Henderson Volunteer Fire Department, Henderson Ambulance Squad, Henderson Harbor Chamber of Commerce, South Jefferson Chamber of Commerce, Henderson Central School Board, Henderson Republican Party Committeeman, and Henderson Fire Commissioner and Treasurer in 1968 when the District constructed the new Community Building-Fire Department, Community Hall and Library complex. He was also a member of the Don Rounds American Legion Post 586 and the VFW Post 5344, both Adams for over 53 years.

Merrill married Nina Reed, Dec. 31, 1950 at the Adams Village Baptist Church. They had two sons. Mrs. Scott passed away Jan. 29, 2011.

He is survived by a son, Calvin, Syracuse, a daughter-in-law Mrs. Nancy Richmond Scott (Mark), Holley, NY, grandson, Jonathon M. Scott, and his wife Stephanie, and great-grandson Tyler and great-granddaughter Brooklyn, Hilton, NY. 

Besides his wife, he was predeceased by a son, Mark, on Aug. 14, 1993, and his twin brother, Murray, who passed away Jan. 9 of this year.

Memorial and graveside services will be held this spring at a time and date to be announced. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery, Town of Henderson. 

Memorial donations may be sent to the Henderson Fire Department (PO Box 3, Henderson, NY), and the Memorial Fund of the Henderson United Methodist Church.

Funeral arrangements are with Carpenter-Stoodley Funeral Home, Belleville.

Condolences may be made at www.carpenterstoodley.com.

Information provided by Carpenter-Stoodley Funeral Home and Newzjunky, Watertown, N.Y.