“I’ll see you in Heaven” was a goodbye we heard many times from Dad in his final hours. It is with this hope, in our sorrow, that the family of Merlyn Bennett Randolph Heim, 77, of Chelsea, share the news of his passing into Glory on Saturday, August 15, 2026, at the South Shore Regional Hospital in Bridgewater.

Merlyn was born in Bridgewater on January 8th, 1949, to Lewis and Irene (Woodworth) Heim. He attended the one-room schoolhouse in Lower Chelsea from Primary to grade 6 and then went off to Hebbville School for grades 7 & 8. Not one for the confines and demands of a school classroom, he ‘graduated’ in grade 8 and went on to carve out a life working hard with his hands. His first job was with his father at Allan Hunt’s Mill in Labelle. From there, he worked at Nauss Brothers, the Queens County Dairy, Fred’s Texaco, and Truman’s Esso.

He took a plumbing course in Halifax and worked with Clyde Wile for a time. After that, he worked at Mersey Electric and then at Michelin.

While living in Sackville in the late 70’s/early 80’s, Merlyn bought himself a dump truck and a backhoe and worked in the area with Jimmy Huntley. He began driving tractor trailers for Frank Carver and hauled salt from Pugwash to Bridgewater.

He also hauled Christmas trees to the States with Wayne Bolivar for a time. He worked for Hefler Lumber, hauling wood chips and pulp & logs. For 11 1/2 years, he worked for Standard Paving and ran the excavator and drove the dump truck & trailer, transporting heavy machinery.

Back home on the South Shore, Merlyn drove a dump truck for Town & Country and then went with Nauss Brothers again, operating a dump truck and a tractor trailer, hauling sand to the Valley. It seems there was not a piece of heavy machinery he could not drive, operate or repair.

His life covered many miles behind the wheel, but no matter how far he travelled and how long he was away, every route ended up where it began…in his beloved community of Chelsea surrounded by family and friends.

Merlyn leaves behind his beloved son, David (Brenda Conrad) Heim, Chelsea; and his loving daughter, Cheryl (Jeremy) Eastwood, Beaver Bank; treasured grandchildren: Mallory (Austin Slauenwhite) Heim, Raeanna (Timothy) De Leon, Alexandrea, Saul and Maryska Eastwood; his dear sister, Beatrice (Eddie) Burrill, Brooklyn; as well as several nieces and nephews and their families. He was predeceased by his parents, his brother, Lewis Jr., and his sister, Annie and brother-in-law, Eaton Frail. Merlyn’s first great grandchild is due to be born to Mallory and Austin at the end of the month.

Merlyn always loved ponies and horses (two of his favourites were Prince, his black pony, and, Buddy, his race horse), but his dog, Jake, was his all-time favourite “buddy.” He enjoyed fast cars and motorbikes and owned many throughout his lifetime. He liked collecting pins and ball caps and playing darts. He was a “Jack-of-all-trades” and a “MacGyver” who could fix just about anything. He loved hunting and got a deer almost every year. He enjoyed sharing the meat with family and friends and his family doctor, Dr. Ferguson, who, along with Ann, took very good care of him for many years.

After retirement, Merlyn spent his time being a ‘chauffeur’ to those in Chelsea who needed a drive to town, or beyond. His red “buggy” (as he called it), was recognized wherever he went. He was a loving father and grandfather and a good neighbour and friend to so many. Special thanks to Deanna who remained a faithful friend and ‘adopted daughter’ to the end.

On August 27th, 2025, Merlyn moved to the Mahone Bay Nursing Home where his caregivers, from the cleaners to the CCA’s to the nurses to his Nurse Practitioner, Schelene, all took great care of him and we are so grateful.

Merlyn grew up attending the church in his backyard with his parents (Chelsea Fundamental Independent Baptist) but walked away from the faith when he was a teenager. It was not until January 2024, very late in his life, that he truly committed his life to Jesus and placed his faith and trust in Him. From that point forward he was filled with an intense burden to have those he knew and loved come to trust Christ, too, and would often speak to others about the LORD and always had a gospel tract at hand to share.

There will be a graveside service at 2:00 pm on Saturday, August 22nd in the Maple Grove Cemetery (2626, HWY 210, Chelsea) under the direction of Pastor Jeremy Eastwood and Personal Care Cremations & Memorial Services.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations made to the Lung Association in Merlyn’s memory.

The family would like to thank Dr. Heather Robertson and nurses Seth, Tristan and Ashley at the SSRH for helping to make Dad’s home-going comfortable and peaceful.

We’ll see you in Heaven, Dad. We’ll say “goodnight” here, but “good morning” up there.

PRINTABLE VERSION

SERVICES & GATHERINGS

Graveside Memorial Service

August 22, 2026 2:00 pm

Celebrant: Pastor Jeremy Eastwood

Maple Grove Cemetery
2626, HWY 210 Chelsea, NS View on Google Maps

Service Note

There will be a graveside service at 2:00 pm on Saturday, August 22nd in the Maple Grove Cemetery (2626, HWY 210, Chelsea) under the direction of Pastor Jeremy Eastwood.