Merritt J. McAlinden, 93, died Oct. 26, 2017, at Buckingham Valley Rehabilitation and Nursing Center.
Born in Perth Amboy, N.J., McAlinden was a resident of Hopewell, N.J., and Harvey Cedars, N.J., for over 90 years. He was a veteran of the United States Army and was part of the D-Day allied invasion of occupied France, landing on the Utah Beach sector. He fought through the Battle of the Bulge and throughout the Ardennes, Rhineland and Central Europe.
McAlinden was a pioneer in the field of commercial explosives applications. He began with the McAlinden Construction Company and later founded the Merritt J. McAlinden Corporation. His expertise ran the gamut of construction, demolition, industrial and marine blasting. He performed these special projects throughout the United States as well as Aruba. His expertise earned him the reputations as an innovator and the man who successfully delivered projects that others wouldn’t even attempt. The passion that he brought to this field for safe and quality work he freely shared in the development of a new generation of safe and effective Blasters. Through his retirement, he continued to follow the industry, engage with former colleagues, and offer advice and assistance to others.
Mr. McAlinden was involved in community services during his lifetime. He served on the Hopewell Borough Council and was a volunteer EMT with the Hopewell Fire and Rescue Department. Upon retiring to Harvey Cedars, N.J., he actively served as a volunteer EMT with the Barnegat Light Rescue Squad. For many years he was an active member of the St. Alphonsus Parish (Hopewell) and at the time of his passing was a member of the St. Francis of Assisi Parish (Long Beach Township, N.J.) and its Men's Cornerstone Group.
He is preceded in death by his parents Merritt and Ethel McAlinden; his wife of 62 years Louise Sommovigo McAlinden; and brother Joseph McAlinden.
Mr. McAlinden is survived by his son, Merritt “Tex” McAlinden and wife Edythe of Hopewell; his daughter Marcella Sosnoskie and husband Tony of Milton, Penn.; four grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother Gerald McAlinden; and two sisters, Evelyn McAlinden and Eleanora Kolbert.
