Astoria

Oct. 6, 1921 — May 17, 2015

Forrest “Merrill” Ginn passed away on May 17, 2015, age 93, at home in Astoria, Ore. He was born Oct. 6, 1921, in Salem, Ore., to Forrest Westley Ginn and Ruth Ellen (Aspinwall) Ginn.

In 1929 the family moved from Salem, to Lodi, Calif., and then to Astoria in 1937. Once Merrill arrived in Astoria, he joined his fellow high school friends in the Sea Scouts and sailed on The Flying Cloud. These were friends that he kept throughout his life.

Upon his graduation from Astoria High School in 1939, Merrill attended the San Francisco College of Embalming and became a licensed mortician to join his father in the family business. In August 1942, he joined the U.S. Coast Guard, was sent to Columbia University in New York, and commissioned as a pharmacist’s mate. He served on Beach Patrol in Seaside and Cannon Beach, then in 1944 aboard the CGC Aurora until his discharge in March 1946.

Merrill and his mother owned the Ginn Gift Shop on Ninth and Commercial until it was sold in 1955. He then went to work as a dispatcher and office manager for Arrow Tug & Barge, which eventually became Knappton Towboat, until his retirement in 1987.

Merrill married Rita Hakanson on April 25, 1959, at St. Mary, Star of the Sea Church in Astoria, and they had three children; Diane, Steven and Kenny.

Merrill enjoyed working at his office overlooking the Columbia River in Astoria, flying his Piper airplane, playing golf as a member of the Astoria Golf and Country Club, and working outside around the house. His biggest enjoyment was being with family and friends, from visiting with the guys in their weekly coffee klatch and playing cards with friends in their poker club, to visiting with family, whether around the dining room table or at the large extended family gatherings.

Merrill is survived by his wife, Rita; his daughter, Diane Forst and husband, Jim, of Astoria; sons Steven Ginn of Hillsboro and Kenny Ginn of Astoria; his brother, Bob Ginn and wife, Sheryl, of Sitka, Alaska; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Kenneth Ginn.

There will be a family and friends gathering Saturday, June 6, to disperse Merrill’s ashes in the Columbia River.

Donations in Merrill’s name may be made to the Columbia River Maritime Museum, where his son, Kenny Ginn, has demonstrated making rope for 25 years.