Merle D. Straw Jr.

STRAW, Merle D., Jr., 92, of Hampton, NH, at Tilton, NH, May 7, 2013. A memorial service in celebration of his life will be held Friday, June 14, at 1 p.m., in the United Church of Christ, North Hampton, NH.

Merle D. Straw Jr.

    HAMPTON, NH – Merle D. Straw, Jr., auctioneer, appraiser and real estate broker, died Tuesday, May 7, 2013, at the N.H. Veterans Home, Tilton. NH
    Merle, born on April 14, 1921, to Merle D. and Lottie (Publicover) Straw in Medford, Mass., was a 1939 graduate of Hampton Academy and attended UNH. He served as a gunnery instructor in the U.S. Air Force, World War II.
    Mr. Straw graduated from Reppert School of Auctioneering in 1946. He served as the Seabrook, N.H. town moderator and was a charter member of the Seabrook Lions Club. He was active in the auction profession for over 50 years, and was proprietor of The Old Man of Seabrook Auction Gallery for 25 years.
    He was a charter member and past president of the New Hampshire Auctioneers Association, past chairman of the New Hampshire Board of Auctioneers, and past director of the National Auctioneers Association. He imported antiques from Ireland, Scotland and Spain in the 1960’s and 1970’s, and was a guest lecturer, Antiques, WENH, Channel 11, Durham, NH.
    As a real estate broker, Mr. Straw was involved in numerous residential and commercial transactions in the Seacoast area.
    He is survived by his wife, Judith Benford Straw; two sons, Merle David Straw III of Freedom, NH, and Robert Alan (Straw) of Hampton, NH; four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his beloved son, Steven Straw.
    A private graveside service was held at Elmwood Lawn Cemetery, Guilford, ME. A memorial service in celebration of Merle’s life will be held Friday, June 14, at 1 p.m., in the United Church of Christ, 295 Atlantic Avenue, North Hampton, NH. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Seacoast Family Promise, PO Box 233, Stratham, NH 03885.