MERRITT, Justin Allen

1958-2022. It is with heavy hearts that we, the family of Justin Allen Merritt (Dusty) announce his passing at the age of 64, on December 27, 2022, in Rankin Inlet, Nunavut. Justin was born on December 19, 1958, in Sydney, Nova Scotia to the late Justin Haggarty Merritt and Mary Loretta (Laura MacGillivray) Merritt. Dusty’s roots are in Cape Breton where he grew up with a tight-knit family of Merritt’s, MacGillivray’s and Boudreau’s. It is here where Dusty learned the importance of family and community, strong values he carried throughout his life. In 1987, Justin moved to Rankin Inlet as a ‘bay boy’ with the Hudson Bay Company. He worked for the HBC in Coral Harbour, where he met his Wife Dorothy. He later moved to Rankin Inlet where he settled and raised his family. Justin went on to work for the Hamlet of Rankin Inlet as finance comptroller, and later Senior Administrative Officer. Justin served his community with great dedication for over three decades, as a committee member, Hamlet Councillor and employee. He always worked with the best interests of the people he served. Justin also worked as Finance and Executive Director, at both the Kivalliq Inuit Association and Nunavut Implementation Training Committee. Everyone knew Justin to be a diehard Leafs fan and it goes without saying that everyone has a good hockey story to share about Justin either playing, coaching, refereeing or watching the game. Justin spent many tireless hours volunteering at the local arena, organizing tournaments and serving asamember of Rankin Inlet Minor Hockey and Sport Nunavut. In the summers, Justin enjoyed playing in the Rankin Inlet softball league, and in later years, entertaining crowds with his , one of a kind, umping calls. STEEEARIKE!!! Justin also enjoyed playing darts with his best buds on Wednesday and Saturday nights. But more than anything loved being a grandpa to his babies, playing endless games of who’s in my chair? And singing songs from generations past that every one of them danced to. Justin leaves behind his wife, Dorothy; children, Laura (Troy), Jocelyn (Gavin), Kathleen (Paul), and his SON James; grandchildren, Kylie, Leo, Jordin, Helen, Anna and Catherine; and siblings, Janet (Ernie) Lefebvre, Kathy (Ron Huestis) Judy, Michael (Joann Lloyd) and family friend Pat Markotjohn as well as many nieces and nephews and cousins, including the Boudreau’s who are like siblings to Justin. A funeral service was held at the Mary, Our Mother Roman Catholic Church in Rankin Inlet on Friday, December 30th ,2022. A celebration of life will be planned for a later date in Cape Breton. Donations in Justin's name can be made to Hospice Pallative Care Society of Cape Breton County.