Merritt Weeks Jr. ... NH 4,000 club member; at 99

ROCHESTER - Merritt "Brud" Weeks Jr. made his journey to meet his heavenly father peacefully, holding the hand of his wife Elaine on Nov. 10, 2021.

Brud was born on Dec. 26., 1922, in Belmont, moving to Rochester as a young boy with his family. Growing up on the Weeks Farm at the corner of Salmon Falls Road and Portland Street, gave him a lifelong love of the land, and the gardens he raised over the years were both bountiful and legendary. Brud would often share his crops by leaving them on doorsteps of people in the area who did not have fresh vegetables.

Brud proudly served his country during World War II by enlisting in the Navy. He then continued to serve his country by working at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard for over 25 years until his retirement.

Brud married his sweetheart Alberta (Birdie) Weeks and together they worked the farm and raised three children, James, Michael and Kathleen. They spent over 30 wonderful years together. Shortly after they both had retired, Brud lost his beloved Birdie to a sudden illness. To work through his grief and loss, Brud began hiking the various mountains in New Hampshire culminating in his becoming a member of the New Hampshire Four Thousand Footer Club. Brud also pursued his other passion, fishing. Brud and his son Jimmy would spend many many days on "the Big Lake" fishing for salmon or up to Maine and Moosehead Lake. Always coming home with a Brud story to tell.

After several years Brud reunited with a childhood friend, Elaine Herries. They provided each other love and companionship that proved the foundation for a marriage that lasted over 40 years. Brud gained an extended family that included her four children who quickly came to love him as a Dad and Grampy. Brud and Elaine traveled the country often driving to California. Brud loved seeing the different parts of the country and always a new adventure around the corner.

Brud loved his Lord, and was a member of the Walnut Grove Baptist Church. He supported his church family by helping to maintain the building and surrounding land. Brud was always generous with his time, talents and any resources he could provide to help out.

Brud was predeceased by his wife Alberta (Birdie) Weeks, son Michael Weeks, and daughter Kathleen Ross, brothers Richard and Quinten and his sister Nan. He is survived by his wife Elaine, son James (wife Ginny) Weeks, granddaughter Jennifer Weeks, Daughter in Law Leslie Weeks, his Sister Marilyn, and stepchildren, Tom (Paula) Hanson, Judith Chipman, Daniel (Ofelia) Hanson, and Susan (Randy) Richardson. His step grandchildren, Brian Hanson, Shelby Purlinsky, Ashley Turner, Elaina Hanson, Kyle Richardson and Annie Walters. Brud also leaves behind many nieces and nephews along with many dear friends who will miss him dearly.