Granby Obituary: Merrill Beman, 92

Merrill J. Beman, a lifelong resident of Granby, passed away peacefully on October 8, 2015, rejoining his beloved wife Ruth (Jackson) Beman, who predeceased him.

He was born in Granby on November 18, 1922, the son of Joseph H. Beman and Alida J. (Griffin) Beman. He grew up on his parent’s farm. He graduated Simsbury High School and attended Hartford State Technical School. He joined the Army in 1943 and was sent to North Africa where he served as an aircraft engine & propeller mechanic. His love of engines extended to his employment at Pratt & Whitney Aircraft in 1946 where he worked at the “Wilgoos” lab testing jet engines until his retirement more than 35 years later.

Mr. Beman will always be remembered by his family with his head under the hood of a car, tinkering with his Gravely tractor or walking in the woods with his camera at the ready.

He is survived by two daughters, Janet R. Beman of Manchester and Leila (Beman) Collin and her husband Maurice of Coventry; several nephews; his good friend and caregiver Jackie Anderson Branch; and his cat, Zoe.

His family will receive friends on Thursday, October 15, 10-11 a.m., at the Hayes-Huling & Carmon Funeral Home, 364 Salmon Brook St., Granby, followed by a graveside service with Military Honors, at 11 a.m., at the Granby Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Protectors of Animals, 144 Main St., Unit O, East Hartford, CT 06118 or to Our Companions Animal Rescue, P.O. Box 956, Manchester, CT 06045.

For online condolences please visit www.carmonfuneralhome.com.