Merv passed away peacefully in his 92nd year, on Saturday, November 29, 2014, at the Christchurch Hospital. Dearly loved husband of Phyl, loved father and father-in-law of Jacqui and David Spencer and adored granddad of Penelope and Eliot. Messages to the Hitchins family c/- PO Box 10345, Christchurch 8145. A service to celebrate Merv’s life, will be held in St. Andrew’s at Rangi Ruru Presbyterian Church, 16 Merivale Lane, on Wednesday, December 3, 2014, at 2:00 PM. Private cremation thereafter.