Deane P. Merrill, age 91, died at Heaton Woods, Montpelier Vt on September 24, 2016. He was born December 22, 1924 to Clinton and Bessie Merrill in Barre,Vt . He was a longtime resident of Barre and Berlin and later Hardwick. In 2013 he moved to Heaton Woods where he enjoyed many daily activities and entertained the residents every week with his band. He entered the Air Force in 1943 as an aviation mechanic but was honorably discharged in 1944 due to an injury. He married Priscilla Canning on Sept. 21, 1947, who predeceased him June 3, 1997. After working a variety of jobs in Barre, he began work in 1957 for Wyman's Petroleum Equipment in Montpelier, retiring in 1990. He was appointed to the first Vt electrician's licensing board serving from 1970-1975. He was a member of the Granite Masonic Lodge #35 and was formerly active in the Barre Congregational church. He was a self-taught musician and returned to his passion for music in the 1970's, playing saxaphone and clarinet with local music groups. In 1986 he joined the "Swingin Over Sixty" band at the Montpelier Senior Center, assumimg leadership of the group in 1997. He continued to play there every week until his death. He also performed with the Mad Bavarian parade band from 2002 - 2014 and the Capital City concert band for 20 years. He is survived by his daughters and their spouses Susan and Charles Keeler of Myrtle Beach,SC, Joanne and Preston Gilbert of Cazenovia, NY and Donna and Don Cimorelli of Cary, NC. He also leaves seven grandchildren, three great-grandchildren a niece and seven nephews. In addition to his wife Priscilla, he was predeceased by his partner Jean Timerson in 2013 and his siblings Dorian, Vera and Harland Merrill and Ethelyn Morse. A memorial service will be held at Guare & Sons Funeral Home, 30 School St, Montpelier on Oct 3 at 10:00AM. A private burial for family will follow the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may-be made to the Montpelier Senior Activity Center, 58 Barre St, Montpelier,Vt 05602 or at www.montpelier-vt.org/746/donate On-line condolences may be sent to www.guareandsons.com