In Celebration of
James "Merrill" Steele
May 17, 1940 - March 20, 2026
We have lost our beloved hero. Well into his 86th year, Merrill has packed up his tools and moved on to his next project. To paraphrase Charles Schultz, “One day he died. The rest of the days he lived.” Let us tell you about those days.
Born in Charlottetown, Merrill was the youngest of three children to Fred and Grace Steele. He had an unquenchable thirst for learning and was not afraid to take risks. As an example, strolling along the Charlottetown Harbour, Fred and Grace are shocked to see a young boy and his dog on a chunk of ice paddling towards the Harbour’s mouth. After doing a double take, they realize it is Merrill. Thankfully, his ability to evaluate risk improved greatly as he aged.
Fast forward to 1961 and it’s Merrill strolling the streets of Charlottetown. Through a restaurant window, he spies the most beautiful girl he has ever seen. He seizes the opportunity and asks her if she can save the last dance for him at that night’s dance. This turned out to be the beginning of the lifelong journey of Merrill and Carol.
With a trunk full of toasters and various other wedding gifts, Merrill and Carol set off for Ontario to find somewhere to plug them in. They landed in the Brantford area where they made lifelong friends and built a family. Merrill did not love being told what to do, so he took the risk of launching his own electrical contracting business, eventually specializing in alarm and security systems at major institutions all over Ontario, from James Bay to Kingston Penitentiary. Oh, the stories he told.
Merrill and Carol provided their family with endless opportunities for adventure and new experiences. Camping in Temagami, the cabin on the Swayze River and annual trips to PEI are just a few. One of the greatest adventures was moving to the farm on Blue Lake Road. Parties at the farm were legendary. From church groups, high school graduation, snowmobiling, skating and more. (Not all parties were sanctioned by the parents...) After leaving the farm, the family gathering spot moved to the chalet in Collingwood. The memories created there with family and friends could fill a book.
When other people would typically begin looking at retirement, Merrill and Carol were still up for a new challenge. The Island beckoned them home and their next big adventure was owning and operating Bayside Cottages in Stanhope, PEI. The steady stream of family and friends coming to visit competed with actual paying customers for the cottages.
One of Merrill’s greatest passions was being on the water. He and his dog Sam could often be found on his sailboat, “Steelin’ Away,” which moved with them from Ontario to PEI. (Carol had secretly hoped that the boat would be sold before leaving Ontario, only to discover that the boat arrived in Charlottetown ahead of her.)
Merrill was a perpetual student of history, politics and life and had a memory like a Steel(e) trap. His grandkids always said he was the smartest person in the world, and if they had a question they could not answer, they would say “Just ask Grampa.” To our great benefit, his wit and unique way of seeing the world gave us laughter in even the most unexpected circumstances.
Merrill is lovingly remembered by his family including his wife of 64 years, Carol (Biggar), his children Melanie (Ken deWildt), Tammie, Tracy and Jamie, his grandchildren Madison, Rebecca, Hillary, Angus, Adelia, Soma and Kain and many nieces, nephews, and in-laws. Merrill was predeceased by his brother Paul (Jean) Steele and Anne (Bernie) Chivilo.
Lessons learned from Merrill:
• Kindness pays off.
• Don't be afraid to take a chance.
• Hard work can be fun.
• Laughter truly is the best medicine.
• Lobster is cheapest at the wharf.
A special thanks to the wonderful staff at St. Joe’s Hospital. He received amazing care in the dialysis unit, emergency, nephrology, and ICU, and from the wonderful DARTS drivers. If you wish to remember Merrill, please consider a donation to St. Joseph’s Healthcare Foundation.
The family is holding a private service in Hamilton and will take him home to PEI this summer to celebrate him in style.
Born in Charlottetown, Merrill was the youngest of three children to Fred and Grace Steele. He had an unquenchable thirst for learning and was not afraid to take risks. As an example, strolling along the Charlottetown Harbour, Fred and Grace are shocked to see a young boy and his dog on a chunk of ice paddling towards the Harbour’s mouth. After doing a double take, they realize it is Merrill. Thankfully, his ability to evaluate risk improved greatly as he aged.
Fast forward to 1961 and it’s Merrill strolling the streets of Charlottetown. Through a restaurant window, he spies the most beautiful girl he has ever seen. He seizes the opportunity and asks her if she can save the last dance for him at that night’s dance. This turned out to be the beginning of the lifelong journey of Merrill and Carol.
With a trunk full of toasters and various other wedding gifts, Merrill and Carol set off for Ontario to find somewhere to plug them in. They landed in the Brantford area where they made lifelong friends and built a family. Merrill did not love being told what to do, so he took the risk of launching his own electrical contracting business, eventually specializing in alarm and security systems at major institutions all over Ontario, from James Bay to Kingston Penitentiary. Oh, the stories he told.
Merrill and Carol provided their family with endless opportunities for adventure and new experiences. Camping in Temagami, the cabin on the Swayze River and annual trips to PEI are just a few. One of the greatest adventures was moving to the farm on Blue Lake Road. Parties at the farm were legendary. From church groups, high school graduation, snowmobiling, skating and more. (Not all parties were sanctioned by the parents...) After leaving the farm, the family gathering spot moved to the chalet in Collingwood. The memories created there with family and friends could fill a book.
When other people would typically begin looking at retirement, Merrill and Carol were still up for a new challenge. The Island beckoned them home and their next big adventure was owning and operating Bayside Cottages in Stanhope, PEI. The steady stream of family and friends coming to visit competed with actual paying customers for the cottages.
One of Merrill’s greatest passions was being on the water. He and his dog Sam could often be found on his sailboat, “Steelin’ Away,” which moved with them from Ontario to PEI. (Carol had secretly hoped that the boat would be sold before leaving Ontario, only to discover that the boat arrived in Charlottetown ahead of her.)
Merrill was a perpetual student of history, politics and life and had a memory like a Steel(e) trap. His grandkids always said he was the smartest person in the world, and if they had a question they could not answer, they would say “Just ask Grampa.” To our great benefit, his wit and unique way of seeing the world gave us laughter in even the most unexpected circumstances.
Merrill is lovingly remembered by his family including his wife of 64 years, Carol (Biggar), his children Melanie (Ken deWildt), Tammie, Tracy and Jamie, his grandchildren Madison, Rebecca, Hillary, Angus, Adelia, Soma and Kain and many nieces, nephews, and in-laws. Merrill was predeceased by his brother Paul (Jean) Steele and Anne (Bernie) Chivilo.
Lessons learned from Merrill:
• Kindness pays off.
• Don't be afraid to take a chance.
• Hard work can be fun.
• Laughter truly is the best medicine.
• Lobster is cheapest at the wharf.
A special thanks to the wonderful staff at St. Joe’s Hospital. He received amazing care in the dialysis unit, emergency, nephrology, and ICU, and from the wonderful DARTS drivers. If you wish to remember Merrill, please consider a donation to St. Joseph’s Healthcare Foundation.
The family is holding a private service in Hamilton and will take him home to PEI this summer to celebrate him in style.