SACO — Merlin Michael Ellingwood, 34, formally of Windham, passed away unexpectantly on Sunday, Aug. 27, 2017.

The son of Michael Ellingwood and Wanda Belanger, he was born in Portland on Aug. 9, 1983.

From early childhood Merlin enjoyed gazing at the stars and planets and always had a telescope. He loved to share his knowledge of the sky with others especially his twin brother Sterling. Another thing Merlin and Sterling liked to do was to try to trick their teachers into believing they were one another. He attended Thornton Academy. He was known to be kind and compassionate and he was always willing to lend a hand.

He had a special place in his heart for children, animals, and the elderly. One child he had an extra special place in his heart for was his niece Isabella. He taught her to ride her bike without training wheels. One of his favorite pasttimes was riding bikes with her and swimming together in Little Ossipee. He also liked riding motorcycles.

His family has fond memories of swimming and ice skating with him at Pettingill Pond, in Windham, when they lived there. He had been accepted into the radiology program at Southern Maine Community College, and was looking forward to starting classes this fall.

He is survived by his mother Wanda Belanger, and her husband Ronald of Saco; his father Michael Ellingwood, and his wife Marci of Auburn; his twin brother Sterling Ellingwood and his fiancée Falesha Girard, of Biddeford; his niece Isabella Cousins; his grandmother Lucy Richards; his aunt Gail Widger and her husband Stephen; and several cousins.

Family and friends are invited to attend a time of visitation on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017 from 11 a.m. to noon followed by a service at noon at South Windham Community Church, 31 Main St. Windham, Rev. Mary Stimson. officiating. Interment will follow at Arlington Cemetery in Windham. Arrangements are under the care of Dolby Funeral Chapel, Windham.

Please visit www.dolbyfuneralchapels.com for additional information and to sign Merlin’s online guestbook.