Merle C. West, 70, of Alna, passed away at his home on the afternoon of March 11, 2019, after a courageous battle with Mesothelioma.

Born in Damariscotta on August 8, 1948, he was the son of Fred and Wilberta (Nichols) West.

Merle grew up in Wiscasset, attending local schools and graduating from Wiscasset High School. In 1967 he married his first wife, Nancy Jean Clancy, and the couple would welcome a daughter, Lisa.

He had a long working career which saw him do many things throughout the years. He was a carpenter/millwright, and was self-taught in instrumentation and specification writing, which served him well working at Bath Iron Works, Cianbro Corporation, and Maine Yankee. Most recently, he retired as the code enforcement officer for the town of Bristol.

He built his own home in Alna in 1973, and added a two-car garage by himself immediately after retiring in 2013. He also built his camp on West Lake in 2000. He loved his camp, and was an avid outdoorsman and sportsman. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, foraging for mushrooms, and was a great gardener.

He was a member of the “Alna Breakfast Club” at the Alna General Store, as well as the Sons of the American Legion and the Elks Club. In July of 2018, he married his companion of 24 years, Janice Bradford.

Merle is survived by his wife, Janice Bradford of Alna; daughter, Lisa May Comito and her husband John of Rhode Island; grandchildren, Roxanne, Veronica and Samuel, all of Rhode Island; sister, Marie West Johnson of Alna; brother, Gregory N. West of Wiscasset; as well as several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

A celebration of Merle’s life will be announced and held later in the spring.

Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main Street, Damariscotta, ME 04543. Condolences, and messages for his family, may be expressed by visiting www.StrongHancock.com