Niagara mourns former regional chairman
Brian Merrett, a former regional chairman and former chairman of Niagara Parks Commission, is being remembered as a strong voice for Niagara.
Merrett died Friday in a Buffalo hospital following a battle with leukemia and lymphoma. He was 66. Regional Chairman Alan Caslin said Merrett was a friend and mentor and a “strong voice for his constituents and for the entire Niagara region.”
“Brian was a unifying figure in Niagara and embodied the very best of what it means to be a dedicated public servant,” Caslin said.
Born and raised in Niagara Falls, Merrett served as the regional chair from 1991 to 1997.
His political career began in 1978 as an alderman on Niagara Falls council. He spent seven years as an alderman and 12 years on regional council with six, then two terms, as the chairman.
Niagara Falls Coun. Wayne Thomson had known Merrett since he was a teenager. Thomson worked at the former Burning Spring tourist attraction with Merrett’s father.
Prior to politics, he worked with his father in the family’s general insurance business, H.T. Merrett Insurance in Niagara Falls.
“He was without exception a community person,” he said. “He was very professional and this is a great loss to the community.”
When Thomson was mayor, he said, he and Merrett got along well because they shared the same ideas and objectives for the city.
When Merrett became chairman of the parks commission in 1997 that symbiotic relationship continued.
“There had never been a better relationship between the mayor’s office and (the commission),” Thomson said. “There was very little conflict, which there had been a lot of in past years.”
Merrett served as the 11th chairman of the NPC until 2003.
During his time with NPC, the Laura Secord homestead was officially transferred to the agency as well as the historic Queenston chapel.
Also, the NPC’s Niagara River Recreation Trail became an official part of the Trans Canada Trail system and, in June 2002, the NPC’s Legend’s on the Niagara golf course opened to the public.
Niagara Falls Mayor Jim Diodati first got to know Merrett long before he stepped into the political arena.
“I had my own business and I was trying to get a meeting with him to get a shot at some business in the park,” he recalled.
Diodati went to a dollar store and purchased a portable alarm clock and mailed it to the chairman.
“Inside the box I wrote a note saying I needed a few minutes of his time,” he said with a laugh.
Merrett was impressed by Diodati’s approach and granted him a meeting.
Whilethemeetingdidn’tleadtoany business opportunities, it did start an amicable relationship between the two men.
“Brian would come see me on a regular basis, at least a couple of times a year. He always offered sage advice and always seemed to be good at finding the common ground. He was a gentleman and will definitely be missed.”
After retiring, Merrett was named CEO of the Niagara 1812 Bicentennial Legacy Council.
Janice Thomson, current Niagara Parks Commission chairwoman, said her predecessor’s “support and vast knowledge of our binational region will be missed.”
“Brian remained dedicated to the Niagara Parks Commission and, during his time leading the 1812 Legacy commemorations, we had many opportunities to work together, sharing the stories of Niagara’s deep history on many occasions,” she said.
Thomson last saw Merrett on July 20 at the official opening of WildPlay’s MistRider Zipline attraction.
“Brian shared the commission’s pride and excitement at the launch of this new attraction and was very supportive of the thorough research and consultation behind the project.”
Merrett was also the chairman of the Niagara 911 committee that was responsible for the implementation of the regionwide emergency telephone system and, in 1998, he was appointed to Niagara College’s board of governors.
Merrett leaves behind wife Tracey in Lockport, N.Y., and his son, Adam (Angela) and two grandsons; a stepson, Jody Major; a brother, Thomas (Cindy) and aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins. He is predeceased by his parents, Harry and Audrey Merrett, and a brother, Kevin.
Cremation has taken place. Interment will be private at the discretion of the family.