Edward G. Morris

TUCSON, AZ Edward G. Morris, a longtime South Shore resident, passed away September 23, 2008 in Tucson , Arizona. He was 79 years of age. He is survived by his son Edward of Tucson, his brothers Robert of Weymouth and William of Island Park, New York, his stepgrandson Akseli Pitkanen of Jaali, Finland and many cousins, nieces and nephews throughout New England and beyond. Born in 1928 at Harley Hospital in Dorchester, he was the son of Edward R . and Gladys E. (Miller) Morris of South Boston. He was the grandson of State Senator Edward G. Morris, two time Democratic nominee for the U.S. House of Representatives from Quincy. Mr. Morris attended the Quincy Public Schools and graduated from North Quincy High School, where he was a member of the school chorus , in 1947. Two months after his graduation he accepted a job with the Boston Insurance Company, where he became Supervisor of the Tabulating Division. Concurrently he attended classes nights at the Bentley School of Accounting and Finance. In 1950 Mr. Morris married his high school sweetheart Margaret Sipola. They remained together until Margaret's death in 1989. In 1951 duty called Edward Morris and he responded, serving his country with honor in the Korean Conflict as a member of the United States Army. During his two years of service, Corporal Morris was awarded the United Nations Service Medal, the Korean Service Medal and the National Defense Service Medal. Upon discharge Mr . Morris served his country an additional seven years at Ft. Devens in the U.S. Army Reserve. To honor his service to America, in 1999 Mr. Morris was awarded a Certificate of Recognition by Secretary of Defense William S. Cohen. In 1967 Morris accepted a position as a systems analyst at the First National Bank of Boston. Before retiring from the Bank in 1998, this graduate of North Quincy High School rose through the ranks to become an Assistant Vice President in the information systems and services division of the regions oldest, largest and most prestigious financial institution. In 1972 Morris also became a licensed real estate broker and was affiliated for several years with the Miller Real Estate agency in Weymouth. An avid golfer, Morris competed for years alongside his partner Craig Harrington in the First National Bank employees league and in several other invitational events. Upon retirement, Morris traveled extensively, often with his son, throughout Atlantic Canada, Quebec and Ontario, as well as to California and Florida. In 1996, after residing in the Idlewell section of Weymouth for over 42 years, Morris relocated from the South Shore to Sturbridge and then to Tucson, where he has lived in the Foothills and Copper Crest communities. In his later years, Morris become an accomplished watercolor artist and was often seen at sporting events supporting his son's alma mater, the University of Southern California, as well as the Colorado Rockies. Funeral rites were celebrated in Tucson by Father James Moore, O.P. Mr . Morris is interned at Knollwood Memorial Park, Canton. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated Saturday, November 22nd at 10 a.m. at Sacred Heart Parish, 386 Hancock Street, North Quincy. All family and friends are invited to attend. Donations may be made in Edward's memory to the Lown Cardiovascular Research Foundation, 21 Longwood Avenue, Brookline, Massachusetts 02446.