Merce Maleskiaged 95, died peacefully in his room of heart failure during the early morning hours of Tuesday, October 10, 2017 at Kendal in Hanover, New Hampshire, his residence for the past 12 years.

The youngest and only survivor of 4 siblings, he was born on February 11, 1922 to Stephan and Thelma Maleski of Butler, Pennsylvania. He grew up there, helping in the operation of the family's general store, and later with the construction of the building which would house the Castle Roller Skating Rink, run for many years by an older brother Emil, and his sister Ruth.

After graduating as valedictorian of his senior class at Gibson High School in Butler, he attended Johns Hopkins in Baltimore and Temple University in Philadelphia, where he majored in Biochemistry and received a Bachelor of Science degree.

He subsequently served in the United States Army's 94th Signal Battalion in the European Theater of Operation, Germany, during World War II. His further military experience included a tour of duty at the Deshna Veterans' Hospital in Butler, Pennsylvania. There, as supervisor in charge of the hospital laboratory, his specific duties included the broad field of blood chemistry, hematology, serology, pathology, and bacteriology. At an additional assignment to the Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Maryland, he was engaged in chemical research on propellants for rockets and other ordinance weapons in the ballistics laboratory. Thereafter, he took part in the Army Specialized Training Program at Ohio State University.

Following his discharge from the Armed Services, he was employed by Seagram and Sons Distillers Corporation, in Baltimore, Maryland, where he met his future wife, the late Norma Henninger. Over a lengthy career spanning 40 years, he held a number of positions in the Seagrams Corporation, culminating in a 15-year assignment at the United States Corporate headquarters on Park Avenue in New York City where he held the position of Corporate Manager of Blending Spirits, United States Operations. He was also in charge of Product Quality Assurance through the operation of Organoleptic Laboratories, and lectured extensively on manufacturing and quality control to the marketing division, and to the general public.

He retired in 1986. His last post in an executive capacity was as manager of the Clover Shop at Kendal for a time after his and Norma's 2005 arrival there.

Possessed of a keen analytic mind and quick, dry wit, he was a man of deep reserve who kept many of his most pressing concerns to himself. This desire not to intrude unnecessarily on others' lives could be misconstrued as coldness by those who did not know him well, but they would be mistaken. Throughout his busy career he made time to raise his son Stephen and daughter Alice, both of whom he loved dearly; and with Norma to devote much time and talent to church work. He served as vestryman in the Episcopal Church and was a life-long member of church choirs.

A lover of sacred, classical, and operatic music, he continued singing into his early 90s with the Kendal Chorale and the University Chorus of the Upper Valley, until increasing leg-related disabilities rendered that impossible.

Additional interests of this endlessly curious individual included touring throughout the United States, hiking, and cooking.

Both Merce and his wife mutually benefited from their volunteer work with the elderly. Donations in his memory may be made to any organization of the donor's choice.

By his own wish and in keeping with his nature, there will be no service at Kendal, nor will there be any memorial service.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Rand-Wilson Funeral Home of Hanover, NH.