Tim was born on November 26, 1953--a larger than life presence from the start, weighing in at 11lbs 2oz to his petite and exceedingly patient mother.

He was brought up on a farm in Vassar Michigan--he'd specify the location by a raised right hand in the shape of a mitten. It was somewhere in the thumb region. His family was large and loving. In Tim, they instilled lifelong values of integrity, self-reliance, and the strongest of work ethics.

Tim took a circuitous path to secondary education, marked by a mastery of mischief and mustaches. In 1979, he graduated from Western Michigan University with a degree in the arts and headed to Boston from Kalamazoo to see what a different brand of cold felt like.

Tim's quick wit was legendary, and his curiosity was innate--his brilliance amplified by his energy and enthusiasm. No one could regale like Tim Merry. The epic nature of his adventures was surpassed only by the raucous laughter of his captive audiences. (The one about the bloated cow--outstanding.)

Above all else, Tim was a prolific artist. He could bring any surface or subject to life from canvas to cardboard. His found collection was immense, since he could find beauty in even the most abstract of items.

In 1982, he met the love of his life in the hallways of Jordan Marsh's corporate office. Ann was a brilliant young buyer, Tim a dashing art director. It was a meet cute for the ages. They married soon after and started their own branding agency together. With a motley crew of creatives, they grew their client roster to cover nationally recognized brands and innovative startups.

Tim lived life outside the lines. He was a true individual--never swayed by trend or title. His friendships spanned from Harvard professors to transfer station attendants. Tim inspired a multitude of colleagues, clients, and friends. He challenged his peers to do better, be better and think bigger. He was a voracious pursuer of knowledge. He thrived in an environment surrounded by books, sketches and note pads. The latter capturing the litany of ideas and inspirations that occurred to him on a daily basis.

Tim valued ideas, science, nature and a generous pour. He never passed up a solid prank or a well-placed pun. Though Ann kept him in shape, Tim always looked forward to falling off the wagon for the right hamburger plate.

Tim's sense of style was enviable. You'd be as likely to spot him mowing the lawn in a 3 piece suit as you would find him working out in plaid pajamas. He was a rock and roll soul with a Picasso polish. He was an all-around amazing human.

Tim is survived by his incredibly strong and beautiful wife, his brother and sisters, and his many nieces and nephews. He leaves behind a world that's less without him.

Should friends desire, a memorial fund has been set up at mote.org/tim.