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Editor’s Note: A celebration of life was held for Tony Merkle at the Taber Community Centre on May 4.
By Cal Braid
Taber Times
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Tony Merkle (1928-2024) was active in many roles including:
• Vegetable/Flower street peddler
• Altar boy
• Newspaper ‘salesmen’ on Regina street corners
• Sea Cadet and Trumpet player performing in Queen City Boys Band & the Drum and
Bugle Band
• Cub scout
• Newspaper route delivery
• Sugar beet worker
• Shepherd for 6 years
• Cannery worker for 2 years
• Waiter
• Gas jockey
• Farmer
• Pool hall manager
• School Bus Driver for 13 years
• Owner/Operator of Taber Taxi
• Owner/Operator of Taber Bus Lines
• Truck driver
• Janitor
• Fireman for 10 years
• Ambulance Driver for 13 years
• Hockey Referee for 25 years
• Hockey Coach for 5 years
• Citizen of the Year in 1976
• Navy League Officer
• Member of the Minor Hockey Executive for 20 years
• President of Minor Hockey for 1 year
• Girls fastball coach for over 10 years
• Red Cross 79 pint blood donor
• Taber Community Arena Manager for 23 years
• Taber & District Sports Hall of Fame ‘Builder’ in 2002
• Numerous community awards for his garden productions
• Advanced to Bowling Provincials at the age of 78
• 2020 Inductee of the Taber Community Centre Wall of Fame to honor his
achievements and contributions to the Town
• Actor & Entertainer in Tabers Senior Community
His daughter, Valerie Merkle Basque Herron said, “He is keenly missed. And yes, he WAS a HERO.”
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