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Dr. Merritt A. Gibson

1930-2010

Dr. Merritt A. Gibson

GIBSON, Merritt Alexander, of Canning, died in the evening of December 12, 2010.  Born in Wolfville on February 23, 1930, he was a son of the late Rev’d Dr Alexander and Addie (Levy) Gibson.  Merritt taught biology at the University of New Hampshire and McGill University before returning to Wolfville to teach at Acadia University from 1968 until his retirement in 1995.  While at Acadia University he was for many years Head of the Department of Biology and Charles F. Myers Chair in Biology and Zoology, and after retirement was appointed Professor Emeritus.  A much loved teacher and mentor, he will be remembered fondly by generations of students, inspiring many to go on to make their own contributions to science.  He was well known and appreciated for his quick wit and dry sense of humour.  He served on many science and natural resources councils including the Science Council of Canada and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, was past president and honorary life member of the Canadian Society of Zoologists, and recipient of the Confederation Medal of Canada.  He believed strong communities were the result of committed individuals.  He was a founding member of the Blomidon Naturalists Society and the Canning Library & Heritage Association, an active member of the Rotary Club of Wolfville and the Canning Baptist Church, a former member of the Board of Directors of the Valley Regional Hospital, and he served on the Village of Canning Commission for 33 years including 17 years as Chair.  He started bird watching at an early age and natural history was a lifelong passion leading to the publication of 11 books and hundreds of natural history articles.  Merritt is much loved and will be greatly missed by his wife Wilma (Farrar), daughter Elizabeth, son Jamie (Tracy Horsman) and daughter Glenys (Ian Paterson).  Merritt is survived by his brother the Rev’d Dr M. Allen Gibson of Chester and predeceased by his brother Capt. Lloyd Gibson formerly of Aylesford.  The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, December 17 in Manning Memorial Chapel, Acadia University, Wolfville, with the Rev’d Dr Roger Prentice and the Rev’d Virginia Cookman officiating.  A reception will follow.  Donations in Merritt’s memory may be made to the Canning Volunteer Fire Department, the Fieldwood Heritage Society or to a charity of your choice. Online condolences may be left by visiting www.whitefamilyfuneralhome.com. “Exploring nature is largely a matter of becoming receptive to what lies all around you.”  Rachel Carson, 1956

Service Date
Friday, December 17, 2010
Service Time
11:00 a.m.
Service Location
Manning Memorial Chapel, Acadia University, Wolfville, NS

Requested Charity
Canning Volunteer Fire Department, the Fieldwood Heritage Society or to a c