Francis E. Morrissey Jr.

Francis E. Morrissey, Jr. 1951-2011 BENNINGTON Mr. Francis E. Morrissey, Jr. 60, a well known area attorney and a resident of Rutter Road died unexpectedly Monday August 15, 2011 at his home. The son of the late Francis E. and Rose Michaels Morrissey Sr., Francis was born in Bennington on May 11, 1951. He attended local schools, and was a member of the first class to graduate from Mt. Anthony Union High School. While in High School he was a member of the basketball team. He continued his education graduating from DePauw University in 1973 with a Bachelor of Arts and received his MBA from Tulane University in 1976 where he majored in Accounting. Francis practiced as a Certified Public Accountant from 1980 until 1996. In 1988, during his tenure as an accountant, he graduated from Vermont Law School with his degree as Juris Doctor. He was admitted to the Vermont Bar Association in 1989 and joined his mother, Rose in her practice, he has practiced as a sole practitioner since that time. The Morrissey Law Office is one of the oldest law practices in the state of Vermont. Francis was very active in community affairs, he had served as Chair of the Vermont District 8 Environmental Commission from August 1991 until recently, Chair of Mt. Anthony Union High School Board, 1982-1989, Chair, Southwestern Vermont Supervisory Union Board, 1988 and 1989, member of Southwestern Vermont Supervisory Union Superintendent Search Committee, Coach of Bennington Youth Soccer League for 10 years, member and past president of Catamount Rotary Club, member of Bennington Elks Lodge #567 and Secretary and Treasurer of Bennington Park Lawn Cemetery since 2000. He is current Chairman of the WBTN Radio board of which his father had been one of the founding members. The station was under Francis' management when it was sold to Vermont Public Radio. He had also served on the Board of Directors at Southern Vermont College and Southwestern Vermont Medical Center. Francis was a devoted family man, he took an active interest in all his children's activities, he particularly enjoyed and encouraged them in hockey, lacrosse and soccer. In addition he enjoyed going to camp, hunting, fishing and especially playing golf. He leaves his wife, Barbara (Wilson) Morrissey whom he married July 28, 1984 in Bennington, sons Michael Morrissey of Pownal, Matthew Morrissey of Bennington and Patrick Morrissey of Bennington, daughters Lisa and husband Frank Gaudette of Bennington and Katie Morrissey of Williston, grandchildren Samantha Mayer, Christopher Mayer and Hayden Gaudette, sister Pat and husband Philip Kemp of Greenwich, Conn., their children Caroline, Stephen and David Kemp, an aunt Phyllis Morrissey of Bennington, as well as many cousins. He was predeceased by a half brother John Morrissey. FUNERAL NOTICE: Funeral services will be held on Friday August 19 at 10am at the Hanson-Walbridge Funeral Home with the Reverend Jerrod Hugenot, pastor of the First Baptist Church officiating. Burial will follow in the family lot in Park Lawn Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home on Thursday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. when the family will be present. Memorial gifts may be made to either the Mt. Anthony Lacrosse Association or WBTN Radio in care of the Hanson-Walbridge Funeral Home, 213 West Main Street, Bennington, VT 05201. To send personal e-mail condolences to the family, please visit www.sheafuneralhomes.com. All members of the following organizations are asked to meet at the funeral home on Thursday ; Bennington Lodge of Elks at 5:45 for a 6 p.m. service, Catamount Rotary at 7 p.m. to pay respects to the family.