Gaius "Gus" Merwin, Jr.

Gaius W. “Gus” Merwin, Jr. 92, of Peterborough and formerly of Jaffrey, died peacefully on Friday, June 19, 2015 at RiverMead in Peterborough after a period of failing health.

Gus was born on November 2, 1922 in Brooklyn, New York, son of the late Gaius and Margaret (Hubbell) Merwin, Sr. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Harvard University in 1945, and later, attended Rutgers Graduate School of Banking.

Gus served his country honorably in the United States Navy until 1958 and earned the rank of Lieutenant. His professional career was at Manufacturers Hanover Trust Company where Gus was a Vice-President until his retirement in 1984. He was an active member of the Harvard Club of Westchester, served as president of the Rotary Club of New York City, and was treasurer of the Miles Merwin (1623 – 1697) Association, Inc.

Mr. Merwin’s love of nature began as a young camper at Camp Mowglis on Newfound Lake in Hebron, NH, where he later served as a counselor, leading hikes and coaching crew. He became a founding trustee of the Holt-Elwell Memorial Foundation which operates the camp. As a hiker, Gus became a member of the AMC’s 4000 Footer Club in 1966. More recently, he served on the Board of the Monadnock Conservancy and was an active member of several local hiking groups.

Gus was married to Catherine (Ross) Merwin who died on September 7, 2014.

He is survived by his daughter, Ursula Merwin Vocca of Kittery, Maine; his 2 sons, Gaius W. Merwin, III of New Rochelle, NY and Robert L. Merwin of Milford, NH; 14 Grandchildren, 5 Great Grandchildren; his sister, Alice Merwin Tweedy of Snow Hill, Maryland, his brother, Clarke T. Merwin of Marco Island, Florida, and many nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends.

A memorial service will be held at 2 PM on August 13 at the United Church of Jaffrey, 54 Main Street, Jaffrey, NH. A reception will follow at the Mildred Cutter Memorial Hall. Interment will be in the Evergreen Cemetery in New Haven, CT.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making memorial contributions in Gus’s name to the United Church of Jaffrey, 54 Main Street, Jaffrey, NH 03452.