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McMorrow, Timothy Kevin age 71, of Grand Rapids, MI died peacefully at home on Monday, November 9, 2020. He is survived by his spouse of 42 wonderful years, Ann M. Byrne and her siblings, Don and Mary Byrne, Kevin and Karen Byrne, Mary and John Szumski, Ken and Beth Byrne, John and Maureen Byrne, Jan Davis, Peter and Grace Byrne and all of their children. Tim is also survived by his siblings, David and Mary McMorrow, Greg and Marcia McMorrow, Mary and Jerry Howarth, Judith McMorrow and Rick Reilly and all of their children. Tim's nieces and nephews brought so much love and joy to his life as he shared their delight and wonder each time they discovered something new and interesting. Tim was preceded in death by his beloved parents, George and Elizabeth McMorrow; his in-laws, Robert and Helen Byrne and by his nephew and godson, David Alan Szumski as well as a number of aunts and uncles. Tim graduated from Hacket High School in 1967 as a valedictorian and a National Merit Scholar. He also graduated from the University of Notre Dame with honors in 1971 and from the University of Michigan Law School in 1975. Tim served as the Chief Appellate Attorney for the Kent County Prosecutor's Office for over thirty years. His love for the law was deep and encompassing as he conducted legal updates for many area law enforcement agencies and taught aspiring police officers in the Grand Rapids Community College's program for several years. Tim also conducted legal updates for the members of the Grand Rapids Bar Association. He appeared before the United States Supreme Court in one case. After retiring from the Prosecutor's Office, he became a contract commissioner for the Michigan Supreme Court. Tim's legal skills helped advance the juris prudence of Michigan law. He was deeply committed to justice and fairness for all. Many Michigan lawyers are better at their profession because of Tim's mentoring. In the closing weeks of his life, Tim was personally visited by Chief Justice of the Michigan Supreme Court, Bridget Mary McCormack, and Chief Commissioner, Dan Brubaker. Justice McCormack presented Tim with a framed certificate of appreciation signed by the Justices of the Court that acknowledged his many contributions to the appellate practices as an appellate prosecutor and as an appellate law attorney. He was also selected to be the first recipient of the newly created Boyle Appellate Advocacy Award by the Prosecuting Attorneys Association of Michigan. Tim made a lasting difference in Michigan law. Tim was a lifelong Detroit Tigers fan and was fortunate to attend two World Series games. His rooting interest for the Detroit Lions was not as rewarding but there was always next year! Tim could recall some Tigers' games pitch by pitch and delighted in sharing his knowledge of baseball facts. Tim's mathematical skills grew from calculating various baseball statistics. Tim read voraciously and widely. His favorite poet was T.S. Elliot. Tim always had stories to share, loved limericks and puns. He was a joy to be around. Tim found great pleasure in singing and cantoring for the Cathedral of St. Andrew and St. Alphonsus choirs. He loved Gregorian chant and had a wonderful tenor voice. His devotion to the University of Notre Dame was lifelong. Sadly, he will not be able to attend his 50th Class Reunion but will be there in spirit. Tim was very active in the Grand Rapids Notre Dame Club and often led the singing of the Alma Mater. He often attended home football games and came home and watched the game all over again on his computer. During his illness, Tim got great pleasure in watching Notre Dame football games on YouTube. He would spend hours cheering each touchdown and mourned any loss. He loved to visit the campus and stopped at the grotto to pray for whatever was on his mind at the time. Notre Dame was in his spirit, his bones, and his blood. Cheer for Notre Dame in his memory. Fortunately, Tim knew that the fighting Irish beat Clemson and that Biden won the presidential election. The man had his priorities straight! The Mass of Christian Burial for Tim will take place Saturday, November 14, 2020, 11:00 AM at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, 224 Carrier St. NE Grand Rapids, MI 49505. Friends may visit with Tim's family Friday, November 13, 2020, 5-8 PM with a time of sharing at 7:30 PM at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home - Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel, 2120 Lake Michigan Dr. NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504 and again Saturday morning from 10-11 AM at the church. Social distancing and masks will be required. For those that wish to honor Tim, contributions for Notre Dame scholarships would be most appreciated. Your paper check can be mailed to Stacy Koebel-Harder, Director of Gift Management, 1100 Grace Hall, Notre Dame, IN, 46556. Make your check payable to the University of Notre Dame and write ND GR Scholarship Fund on the memo line. If you prefer to give online, go to www.giving.nd.edu and designate ND GR Scholarship. Your gift will enable another student to have that ND Experience that meant so much to Tim during his life. Tim and his family thank you for honoring him this way. Tim firmly believed in the Socrates instruction that the "unexamined life is not worth living." Tim examined EVERYTHING. To share a memory of Tim and to sign his online guest book, please visit www.heritagelifestory.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by The Family.
I don´t think anyone who knew Tim will ever forget him. I think of Tim´s family often and I hope Anne and all who loved Tim are doing well .
Miffy
Miffy KEISWETTER
Friend
November 4, 2023
I want to say without Tim´s help; I would never have passed my Shakespeare class. Tim was quite a wordsmith. I am sure all his love ones miss him and I hope his wife is doing well.
Miffy KEISWETTER
Friend
November 4, 2022
Back in the 1980s, I had the pleasure of arguing numerous cases against Tim in both the Court of Appeals and the Michigan Supreme Court. He was great to work with and to argue against; I have fond memories of a number of those cases no matter which one of us won. If there was any real justice, he would have won election to the Court of Appeals when he did run; heaven knows he would have been an outstanding addition to that Court. I am sorry that he left us so relatively early in life and would express my condolences to his family.
James R Rinck
November 22, 2020
I am saddened to hear the news about Tim's passing. I had the pleasure of singing in the Cathedral choir with Tim for many years. Tim was so kind and such a great storyteller as well. May God bless and comfort all who mourn Tim - especially Ann; may He grant peace and strength as you celebrate Tim's life on earth.
Tom Kasprzzak
Friend
November 16, 2020
I worked with Tim for many years. He was always willing to share his knowledge of the law. As a police officer I valued his legal knowledge of the law and was a better Detective because of Tim. Tim was a great attorney and a good friend. Rest In Peace Tim.
Philip Betz
Friend
November 16, 2020
Ann,
I am so sorry for your loss. It was a privilege to know you and Tim during your stay at HH.
Anne
Anne
Acquaintance
November 14, 2020
Brandy Johnson
November 13, 2020
I met Tim about 25 years ago when, as an appellate lawyer new to Michigan, I appeared for my first evidentiary hearing in the Kent Co. Circuit Court. Though Tim was my adversary, he graciously showed me around the courthouse, introduced me to to the judge, and chatted with me about the case. My experiences with him in the years following reinforced my initial impression. He was not just a highly capable lawyer, but one who truly cared about getting the law and facts right, and whose civility and decency brought that out in others. My colleagues and I miss him.
Doug Baker
Acquaintance
November 13, 2020
Tim was my first boyfriend. He was a sweetheart for sure. I am glad he had a happy marriage and that he loved his work. Can’t ask for more than that.RIP
Miffy Keiswetter
Friend
November 13, 2020
I'm so sorry to hear of Tim's passing. As cousins living hundreds of miles apart, our paths didn't cross frequently beyond occasional family reunions. But when we did get to meet up, it was always a true delight to be in Tim's presence. Wishing peace and tranquility for all the Michigan McMorrows in the days ahead....you are all in my thoughts.
David Grady
Family
November 12, 2020
Kathleen Cagney
November 11, 2020
Tim will be missed by all who knew him. He was the best Appellate Attorney I knew. He was fair and honest and always had the answer that would help his cause. It was a pleasure to work with him and a pleasure to have him appear before me in court. RIP
David Sawyer
Friend
November 11, 2020
Tim and I have been friends since 1954. We both went to work at Saga Food Services at Nazareth College in High School and applied for our Social Security cards at the same time, so we were one digit apart. When in 1971 they had the lottery for draft numbers by a sheer twist of fate we ended up one number different.
I will miss hearing his voice and my undying hope to ever win an argument over facts As of this writing I am 0 for about 1200 but felt that next time would be my first win
Dan Noteboom
Friend
November 10, 2020
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Funeral services provided by:
Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes2120 Lake Michigan Dr NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504
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