JOHN R. MORRIS Sr.

JOHN R. MORRIS SR. - GRAND ISLE - John R. Morris Sr. passed away at his home on Jan. 24, 2014. He was born Oct. 6, 1938, in Boston, Mass., the eldest of four children of the late John James Morris and Anna (Luzaitis) Morris. John graduated from the Rindge Technical School in Cambridge, Mass., and married the love of his life, Bette (Sullivan), on June 5, 1957. He enlisted in the US Marine Corp in 1956 and served through 1969. He left the Marine Corps after one tour of duty in Vietnam as a 1st Lt. After the Marines, he worked for the FAA as an electrical technician retiring in 1993. John and his late wife, Bette, bought a farm in Grand Isle in 1978, which he loved very much and enjoyed raising a variety of animals and tending to their theme gardens. He was also an avid Atlatlist, placing 55th in the world. Survivors include his children, John R. Morris Jr. of St. Albans, Steve Morris and wife, Sandy, of Essex, Laura Blood and husband, Neal, of Charlotte, and Amy Litchfield and husband, David, of Bradford; and grandchildren, Justin and Kate Morris, Andrea and Michael Blood, and Alex and Shaun Morris; and three sisters, Barbara Corning and husband, Don, Kathleen Irvine and husband, Roy, and Rosemary Campbell and husband, Bob; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by his wife, Bette, on Dec. 15, 2009. Relatives and friends are invited to attend calling hours on Friday, Jan. 31, 2014, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Heald Funeral Home, 87 So. Main St., St. Albans. A funeral service will then be held in the Heald Chapel at 4 p.m., with Jan Watt officiating. Interment, with military honors, will be held later this spring at the family lot in the Grand Isle Cemetery. Please visit www.healdfuneralhome.com to leave a private message of condolence to the Morris family. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider the Visiting Nurses Association of Chittenden & Grand Isle Counties, 110 Prim Road, Colchester, VT 05446; or the Grand Isle Sheriff's Department, PO Box 168, North Hero, VT 05474.