HAMPTON — Merle D. Straw Jr., died Tuesday, May 7, 2013, at the New Hampshire Veterans Home in Tilton.

He was born April 14, 1921, in Medford, Mass., the son of Merle D. and Lottie (Publicover) Straw.

He was a graduate of Hampton Academy and attended the University of New Hampshire. He graduated from the Reppert School of Auctioneering in 1946.

He was a U.S. Air Force veteran of World War II serving as a gunnery instructor.

Mr. Straw was an auctioneer, appraiser and real estate broker. He was active in the auction profession for more than 50 years and was the proprietor of The Old Man of Seabrook Auction Gallery for 25 years. As a real estate broker he was involved in numerous residential and commercial transactions in the Seacoast area.

He served as the Seabrook town moderator and was a charter member of the Seabrook Lions Club.

He was a charter member and past president of the New Hampshire Auctioneers Association; former chairman of the New Hampshire Board of Auctioneers; and former director of the National Auctioneers Association.

He imported antiques from Ireland, Scotland and Spain in the 1960s and 1970s. He was a guest lecturer, Antiques, WENH, Channel 11, Durham.

He is survived by his wife, Judith Benford Straw; two sons, Merle David Straw III of Freedom and Robert Alan Straw of Hampton; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

He was predeceased by one son, Steven Straw.

SERVICES: A private graveside service was held in Elmwood Lawn Cemetery, Guilford, Maine.

A memorial service in celebration of his life will be held Friday, June 14, at 1 p.m. in United Church of Christ, 295 Atlantic Ave., North Hampton.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Seacoast Family Promise, P.O. Box 233, Stratham, NH 03885.