Merrill, his daughter, two sons-in-law, and five grandchildren were hard at work on the 16th Street Mall on Friday.
"It's a very rewarding experience," said Merrill. "I look forward to it every year."
When Fie began swinging the bell, Elvis Presley was gaining popularity from his first appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show. John F. Kennedy was still a freshman senator from Massachusetts and the 16th Street Mall didn't exist.
Fie says some things have changed over the years.
"The music has got a little more zip to it now," he noted as the Salvation Army band played "Felice Navidad."
He also has additional staff to collect the donations. His daughter Colleen was swinging the bell in time to the zippy new music and several grandchildren were bouncing around, trying to stay warm in the freezing wind and snow.
"It's unbelievable!" said grandson Merrill Stillwell, who just returned from studying in South America to discover there had been 60-degree temperatures in Denver the week before.
"He manages to pick the cold day every year! I don't know how he does it," said Merrill Stillwell.
Fie says the cold doesn't bother him.
"I'm wearing my fishing long johns. I don't ski, but I do have fishing long johns," he said. "I keep walking around, keep things circulating."
Fie is a Life Member of the Denver advisory board to the Salvation Army. Two years ago, Mayor John Hickenlooper presented him with a special commemorative bell for his years of hard work.
