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J. PAUL MORRISON

1937 - 2022

J. PAUL MORRISON obituary, 1937-2022, Markham, ON

BORN

1937

DIED

2022

FUNERAL HOME

Chapel Ridge Funeral Home

8911 Woodbine Avenue

Markham, Ontario

J. MORRISON Obituary

MORRISON, J. PAUL A fond farewell is wished to J. Paul (Rodker) Morrison, who passed away on June 16, 2022, at the age of 84. Paul was born in 1937, in London, UK, to John Rodker, writer, translator, and publisher, and artist Barbara Stanger McKenzie-Smith. After his mother's subsequent remarriage to Edward A. Morrison III, Paul's last name was changed to Morrison. He attended Eton College and King's College at the University of Cambridge, and earned an MA in Archaeology and Anthropology in 1958. After graduation, he joined IBM, became a pioneer in the field of digital computing, and programmed computers for over six decades. In 1963, he married Brenda Marilyn Smith, and they raised two children, Joseph and Sandra. Paul was a true renaissance man. He could quote Latin, Greek, and a dozen other languages including Sumerian. He loved world music. He played the bongos, and could name a precise style of African or Caribbean music after listening for only a few seconds. Paul read widely and voraciously. He was an idealist and placed a high value on social justice. His favorites were science fiction and fantasy authors like Ursula Le Guin, Lois McMaster Bujold, and Terry Pratchett. He carried them around, together with hundreds of other books, on an electronic book reader that rarely left his side. One of Paul's most important contributions to the world was his invention of Flow-Based Programming (FBP), a revolutionary new paradigm for software development that continues to be influential to this day. Paul liked to call FBP a "discovery", like the law of gravity or the value of pi. But that does not do justice to his decades of obsessive work that made FBP a reality. Interested software developers are encouraged to buy his book (entitled "Flow-Based Programming"). Paul had a vast circle of friends that loved him. They will greatly miss his humble charm, wit, wide-ranging knowledge, spoonerisms, and (alas, nobody is perfect) puns. He is survived by his wife Brenda, children Joseph and Sandra (Farnsworth), grandchild Luke Farnsworth, son- and daughter-in-law Craig Farnsworth and Kim Morrison, brother Tom Morrison and his partner Carole Roberts, and a great many cousins, nieces, and nephews. A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, June 25, 2022, at the Chapel Ridge Funeral Home at 8911 Woodbine Ave., Markham, with a closed casket Viewing beginning at 10 a.m. and a Celebration of Life Ceremony at 11 a.m. Donations may be sent to King's College at Cambridge University, Markham Stouffville Hospital, or Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto.

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Published by Toronto Star on Jun. 20, 2022.

Memories and Condolences
for J. MORRISON

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8 Entries

Samuel Lampa

August 30, 2022

My deepest condolences.

I have benefited greatly from Paul's unique ideas throughout my professional life, and still do to this day.

But even more than that, I have greatly enjoyed interacting with Paul for many years as part of the FBP community. Through his approachable and idealistic style despite his remarkable achievements, he was a role model for us all.

Peace to his memory.

Bill Wilkins

July 30, 2022

My condolences to Paul's family and friends. I had the privilege of working with him shortly after I joined IBM in 1977. Such a learned and interesting man.

Ged Byrne

June 29, 2022

My deepest condolences.

I have been corresponding with Paul for over a decade as a member of the FBP community. He was an original thinker who nurtured The community that grew up around his ideas with humility, empathy and generosity.

Group of 10 Memorial Trees

Adrian, Kelly, Ella and Luca.

Planted Trees

Matthew Lai

June 26, 2022

My deepest condolences.

I came across Mr. Morrsion's Flow-Based Programming (FBP) work when I picked up his FBP book in an Ottawa bookstore in the early 90's. When I eventually moved to Markham in 96 I never imagined in my wildest dream that I would be just 10 minutes drive away from where he lived! We had been good friends since then, and met frequently for the downtown FBP meetups.

I'm going to miss all the intricate FBP discussions with him. May he rest in peace.

Klaus & Marjorie Rossler

June 22, 2022

Our deepest condolences to Brenda and family on the passing of Paul. The wonderful precious times we spent together will always be remembered. Paul was a learned gentleman that enriched
every conversation with his wealth of knowledge and clever wit. The friendship we shared will always be treasured. May he
rest in peace.

Courtney and Janet McKay

June 21, 2022

Our deepest sympathy to you Brenda and family on the passing of Paul. We will always remember and treasure the the lovely times spent together. Paul was such a dignified and charming man. May he Rest in Peace.

Evvie Craig

June 20, 2022

My deepest condolences to Brenda, Joe, Kim and family.

Memories of Paul will live on.







My deepest condolences to you Brenda, Joe, and Kim, and all your family.

Showing 1 - 8 of 8 results

Memorial Events
for J. MORRISON

Jun

25

Viewing

10:00 a.m.

Chapel Ridge Funeral Home

8911 Woodbine Avenue, Markham, ON L3R 5G1

Jun

25

Celebration of Life

11:00 a.m.

Chapel Ridge Funeral Home

8911 Woodbine Avenue, Markham, ON L3R 5G1

Funeral services provided by:

Chapel Ridge Funeral Home

8911 Woodbine Avenue, Markham, ON L3R 5G1