BROCKTON— Sean Merrill was known as a member of the recovery communitywho used his own experience with drug addiction and faith to help others.
His family said his proudest job was working for Adult & Teen Challenge Massachusetts in Brockton, a Christian-based recovery program that he graduated from and joined to help others.
"I'm taking this opportunity God gave me to be a better big brother and to help other people recover from addiction," Merrill toldThe Enterprise in 2016.
Merrill lost his more than decade long battle with addiction on June 25 at the age of 42.
"He was a great son and great man who just had so many hurts," said his mother, Cheryl Juaire.
Merrill is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Merrill;his motherand her husband, Peter Juaire; hisfather, Robert Merrill Sr.;his brother, Robert Merrill Jr; and his stepsisters Danielle Juaire and Renee Maxwell.
He also leaves his daughter, Seanna Lemos, and his son, Jonathon Merrill.
Hisyounger brother, Corey Merrill, died in 2011 at the age of 23 after a drug overdose.
Merrill is also survived by nieces and nephews, including his brother Corey's daughter, Faith, and two grandchildren.
Merrill, who lived in Duxbury, was born in Lowell on March 15, 1979, and was raised in Chelmsford. He attendedNashoba Valley Technical High School and studiedelectrical work.
His daughter was born while he was in high school.There were difficulties with that relationship and eventually Merrill had to give up custody of his child, his mother said.
He was later introduced to opioid painpills by his younger brother, Corey, and years of addiction followed.
Merrill said learning that his younger brother had died from an overdose was a turning point for him.
"That was a moment I cried out to God and asked him to help me," Merrill said in a 2018 interview for a series called "On The Road to Recovery" byTennessee-based nonprofit Steered Straight.
He met a pastor in Florida who directed him to Teen Challenge.
Merrill began the Teen Challenge programin February 2014, which was near the anniversary of his brother's death, he said in the video. He completed the 15-month program and after worked with the organization until 2018.
Merrill's mothersaid he alwayssupported underdogs, which was clear in his work through Teen Challenge.
Joe Rand, senior director ofTeen Challenge Massachusetts and Greater Boston, said he met Merrill as a staff member when Merrill was in the program. They had similar struggles and bonded, including through a shared Christian faith, he said.
For people Merrill helped at Teen Challenge, Rand said his death has been difficult.
"It's tough to see someone lose the battle when they were so instrumental in helping you win yours," he said.
Merrill knew how to connect with people, cared about them and saw valuein them, even if they didn't see it themselves, Rand said.
He went above and beyond in his service to others.
One morning at Teen Challenge, Rand said he saw Merrill and asked why he seemed tired. He responded that he had driven to New Hampshire to meet and talk with someone who needed help and drove to work the next day.
One year during the weekend of the Super Bowl,Rand said Merrill said he planned to watch the game with a father who had recently lost his son to an overdose.
"That was the kind of guy he was," Rand said.
Teen Challenge would eventually like to do something to remember Merrill and honor the impact he had on individuals and the organization, he said.
In 2017, Merrill helped organize the first Race to End Addiction 5k at Bridgewater State University through Teen Challenge.
He also attended vigils for overdose and drug use victims in the Brockton area over the years. He shared his own experience of drug use and recovery and talked about being the brother of someone who struggled with and lost his life to addiction.
Hillary Dubois, director of the Brockton Area Prevention Coalition, met Merrill while he worked with Teen Challenge and did outreach.
"Sean was a good man who wanted to live his life free from addiction," Dubois wrote in an email."He wanted it more than anyone I have ever met. He gave back to people."
She remembers how he was a natural connector who made everyone he met feel important. Dubois said Merrill would smilewith his whole face, had a firm handshake and gave warm hugs.
When she heard about his death, Dubois said she felt a profound sense of grief. She said the pandemic was an isolating time and she didn't know about his struggles.
Cheryl Juaire said Merrill relapsed and lost his job with Teen Challenge. He was able to find work as anelectrician through a union, but his mother said what he wanted to do was help people through the organization.
Merrill's addiction also put a strain on his relationships, which ledhim self-medicate more and lose his sense of self worth, his mother said.
When he died, Cheryl Juaire sensed that he was at peace and no longer in pain anymore.
Visiting hours for Merrill took place Wednesday at Nickerson-Bourne Funeral Homeand a funeral service was Thursday at Sacred Heart High School in Kingston. The burial was held in private.
Juaire said his funeral was healing for everyone.
In lieu of flowers, the family asked for donations to be made in Merrill's name to Team Sharing, Inc. 289 Elm St. Suite 105, Marlborough, MA 01752
ThroughFacebook, more than 100 people have donated nearly $10,000 to Team Sharing in his memory.
Team Sharing is a nonprofit that Merrill's mother founded in 2015 after the death of her sonCorey.The organization is a nationwide support group for families who have lost someone to addiction.
Through it, Cheryl Juaire said she learned about how addiction is a disease rather than a choice.
More than 100 people commented on the post and offered condolences toMerrill's family.Several people said he saved many lives, including helping their children with addiction.
She felt support from the words people have shared and from those who were at Merrill's services and wore their Team Sharing shirts with a purple ribbon. They showed up the same way she and Merrill would after someone died after losing to addiction, Cheryl Juaire said.
Through her organization, she is working on several efforts in memory of her son.
Team Sharing designed a special license plate depicting a purple ribbon with angel wings and the words "overdose awareness." The Registry of Motor Vehicles will authorize the special plate once 750 applications for the plate are received. Cheryl Juaire said the organization has gotten around 200 so far. More information can be found on Team Sharing's website.
Another effort is to get governors across the country to lower the flag to half staff on Aug. 31, which is International Overdose Awareness Day.
"I'm not stopping this fight," she said. "I'm going to continue for Sean and Corey and every last soul, last child out there."
Staff writer Mina Corpuz can be reached by email at mcorpuz@enterprisenews.com. You can follow her on Twitter @mlcorpuz. Support local journalismby purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Enterprise today.
