Obituary of Edward Albert Merton

Edward Albert Merton, affectionately known as Ed or Eddy,  passed away peacefully on February 10, 2022 at home in Mendham surrounded by his loving family.

Ed was born on October 8, 1940 in Morristown, New Jersey, to Helen and Albert Merton. The oldest of three children, Ed spent his childhood in Mendham, and as a young boy discovered that he loved nothing more than playing in the dirt with his trucks and being immersed in nature, a theme that continued throughout his life. Ed attended Hilltop School, he graduated from Morristown High School in 1957, and then attended the Rutgers University School of Agriculture.

A natural entrepreneur, Ed founded Edward Merton Paving & Excavating, which he successfully owned and operated for over fifty years. His business acumen was no secret and Ed was asked to serve on the Peapack Gladstone Bank Board of Directors in 1981, which made him the youngest person ever to have been invited to join the board. 

A loving and devoted father, Ed always made time to spend time with his sons, Marc and Chris. Much of their time together was spent at the Essex Hunt Club participating in hockey, and at the Somerset Lake & Game Club enjoying fishing, boating, and everything nature had to offer.

Beyond family, Ed loved his work, anything to do with farming, nature, and horses, and people. Ed was an avid equestrian who owned and cared for many horses over the years; he enjoyed riding, watching horse-racing, and all of the sights and smells that you find in a barn. It was through work and Ed’s other various interests that he took great care to cultivate relationships with people. This resulted in Ed having an extraordinary group of lifelong friends whom he loved dearly.

Anyone who knew Ed, knows that his sometimes salty demeanor was significantly sweetened when he met his wife, Valerie, whom he married in 2002. The two lived in Califon before moving back home to Mendham three years ago. 

Ed was a huge Yankee fan who also loved classic cars, Ford Trucks, driving, machines, race horses, dogs, making pranks and swearing, too. Above all, Ed shared his enormous heart with the world and took every opportunity to help others whenever he could.

Ed is survived by his loving wife of twenty years, Valerie Jean Merton; his children Marc Merton, Marc’s fiancee, Lee Ann Quenault, Christopher Merton, and Brittany Kent; his grandchildren, Samantha Merton, Sara Merton, Willamina Merton, Wilder Merton, and Angel Kent; his sisters, Sharon Merton Bently and Sue Merton Hartman, and his beloved dog, Bentley. Ed was predeceased by his parents, Helen Rae Merton and Albert Merton.

Visitation will be held Friday, February 18, from 4-8 at the Bailey Funeral Home, 8 Hilltop Road, Mendham, NJ.  Funeral Service will be Saturday, February 19, at 11 am, St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 182 Main Street, Peapack / Gladstone.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN  38105-9959