Nelson Merritt

Noank — Nelson Alfred Merritt, formerly of Pleasantville, N.Y., White Plains, N.Y., and Danbury, and husband of the late Mary Cory Merritt, died Saturday, Oct. 21, 2017, at the age of 97, in Mystic.

Born in Noank, he was the son of the late Francis Lawton Merritt and Althea Montgomery Merritt. Nelson was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather and will be deeply missed.

As a young chief engineer in the U.S. Navy, stationed in Groton, Nelson led several hundred engineers in the design of postwar submarines, including the first nuclear submarine, the USSN Nautilus. He then joined the nation’s space program as technological director for the Apollo Mission Simulator, where he created a comprehensive astronaut training system for moon landings. Later, as the engineering manager at Columbia University’s astrophysics laboratory, he undertook space satellite experiments which enhanced our understanding of earth and solar environments. He later went on to start his own business, Virtual Reality Inc.

Nelson is survived by his three daughters, Dr. Susan Merritt of Pleasantville, N.Y., Debra Mastroianni and husband, John, of Noank, and Nancy Treuer and husband, Thomas, of Brookfield; five beloved grandchildren, Michelle Kobryn and husband Jeffrey, Carly Maher and husband Kyle, Jennifer Peters and husband Ben, Alison Treuer and fiance Adam Spunt, and Hannah Treuer; and five great-grandchildren, Grace, Patrick, Ellie, Violet and Lola. He is survived by one sister, Marion (Mimi) Orkney of Groton. His five other siblings are predeceased.

Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 26, at McMahon, Lyon and Hartnett Funeral Home, 491 Mamaroneck Ave., White Plains, N.Y. Mass will be held at 1 p.m. at the Chapel of Divine Compassion, 52 North Broadway, White Plains, N.Y.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.