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BORN
1925
DIED
2015
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Morris Wilkins Obituary
Mr. Wilkins was born in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania in 1925, the oldest of three children, to Benjamin and Rose Wilkins, Russian and Hungarian immigrants.
He enlisted in the Navy at the age of 17, shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Mr. Wilkins served in the Pacific theater on two submarines, the U.S.S. Rasher and the U.S.S. Gurnard, until after the end of the war.
Trained as an electrician during the war, he built a successful electrical contracting business soon after his discharge from the Navy.
Mr. Wilkins eloped with the love of his life, Lois Faye Weitz, in 1955. They were married for 47 years, until Mrs. Wilkins passed away in 2002.
In 1958, Mr. Wilkins along with a partner, Harold O'Brien, purchased Hotel Pocopaupack, an 18-room hotel located on the shores of Lake Wallenpaupack in Lakeville, Pennsylvania. Mr. Wilkins renamed the hotel Cove Haven and began marketing it as a couples-only resort.
In an effort to generate more honeymoon business, in 1963 Mr. Wilkins created the heart-shaped bathtub and installed them throughout his hotel. Business boomed, particularly after a 1971 Life magazine featured a risque photograph of a couple covered only in soap bubbles sharing an embrace in the glossy red tub. Cove Haven quickly grew to more than 230 rooms.
A 2010 Wall Street Journal article noted that the design quickly took hold at vacation resorts all over the world. "Morris Wilkins has done more for romance than a box of chocolates," quipped Jim Nolan, staff writer for the Philadelphia Daily News, in a 2000 profile.
After selling Cove Haven to Caesars World of Las Vegas in 1969, Mr. Wilkins expanded and opened other resorts, including Paradise Stream, Pocono Palace, and Brookdale, and became president and chief operating officer of Caesars Pocono Resorts.
In the 1980s, Mr. Wilkins continued to define the style of the quintessential romantic getaway property with innovations like the private in-suite swimming pool and the seven-foot-tall champagne glass whirlpool. Mr. Wilkins retired in 1997.
Mr. Wilkins and his late wife Lois leave three children, Lori Wilkins Immerman of Los Angeles, CA, Michael Wilkins of Las Vegas, NV, and Jill Wilkins of Bethesda, MD and five grandchildren. Morris is also survived by Thomas Wilkins, of Stroudsburg, PA, a son from a previous marriage, and two grandchildren. He is also survived by his younger brother, David Wilkins, of Miami Beach, FL.
A funeral service will be held on Friday, May 29, 2015 at 11:00am at Temple Beth Israel, 615 Court Street, Honesdale, Pennsylvania.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Congregation Beth Israel, 615 Court Street, Honesdale, PA 18431 http://congregationbethisraelhonesdale.org/.
Condolences can be left online at bryantfuneralhome.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Morris Wilkins
Sponsored by Arthur A. Bryant Funeral Home.
Nick Nichols
June 28, 2015
To the Wilkins Family,
On behalf of the Charleston Base SUBVETS and Swamp Fox Chapter SUBVETS WWII, I offer you our sincere condolences on Morris' passing. We grieve with you on the loss of your loved one and all SUBVETS and their families have your family in our thoughts and prayers. There is no expiration date on the back of our dolphins and Morris will always be remembered as a Brother of the Phin, a member of our Greatest Generation, and a great Patriot.
Morris Wilkins
US Navy WWII Submarine Veteran
Now on Eternal Patrol
Sailor Rest Your Oar
Your Shipmates Have The Watch
Fair Winds and Following Seas Shipmate
Charleston Base Submarine Veterans
Nick Nichols, Base Chaplain
June 4, 2015
Dear Lori and family, you have my deepest sympathy over the loss of your father. I know he was a big part of your life and your twins. Every time I saw him, he bragged about your children. Your mom and dad were good friends of your father. Again, my heart goes out to you all over you loss.
Sincerely, bonnie Abraham
June 4, 2015
Dear Lori and Family, So very sorry to hear of your dad's passing. May your memories of happy times bring you comfort. With sympathy, Susan Burcher Klikus Beach Lake, PA
Jennifer Amantea
June 2, 2015
Our deepest sympathy to you and your family.
June 2, 2015
Lori and Mike, Your father was a great man who I remember well on Parkway Drive as well as giving me a job at Cove Haven on many occasions. I'm very sorry for your loss. COL Mark A. Westbrook [email protected]
Bob Reinisch
May 29, 2015
On behalf of the United States Submarine Veterans (On USSVI), we offer our sincere condolences to Lori, Michael, Jill, Thomas and all of the Wilkins family and friends in your loss and sorrow. May God whisper peace into your hearts and comfort and heal them. We are grateful for Morris'service to our country in the U.S. Submarine Service. To our Brother of the Dolphin "Sailor, rest your oar. We have the watch. May you rest in peace and may God bless your loved ones who remain. Thank you for your service to our country." -- Chaplain Bob Reinisch, National Chaplain United States Submarine Veterans, USSVI.
eduardo kohlmann
May 29, 2015
my name is Eduardo kohlmann from mexico and i sent my condolences to Michael/Mike who was a friend of mine in Houston.
my mail [email protected]
i want to get in touch with him
saludos
Tony & Edna De Marco
May 29, 2015
Our most sincere condolences on the loss of your Father, may the lord grant him and you and your family peace in your time of grief.
sharon lightfoot-wade
May 28, 2015
So sorry to hear of the passing of your father. Many prayers to you and your family.
May 28, 2015
To the Wilkins Family,
Your loved one was a visionary who contributed in countless ways to our community. My condolences and prayers for the family as you go forward. Rest in peace.
Maria T. Candelaria, Esq.
The Jabara Family
May 28, 2015
Sincere Condolences
Kathy Skillman
May 28, 2015
Sincere sympathies.
Donna DiBernard
May 28, 2015
My heartfelt sympathy Tom, to you and your family.
Steven Pomeroy
May 28, 2015
I'm so sorry to hear of this. A great business man who literally put the Pocono Mountains in Northeast Pennsylvania on the map as a honeymoon destination, when he brought the heart shaped tub and champagne glass bath to his Poconos resorts. Also, thank you for his service to our nation.
My heart felt condolences to the Wilkins family.
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