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.
