David John Morrison

HARMONY - David John Morrison passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Dec. 30, 2013, after a short illness.
John was born May 15, 1930, in St. Francis, the son of James and Ellen (Connors) Morrison.
As a young boy, he attended schools in St. Francis and worked for his family. He enjoyed working in the potato fields in the summer and logging in the winter. He loved to share stories with his family and friends about growing up in the St. John Valley. He was very proud of being from "The County" and often returned to visit and attend reunions.
He enlisted in the Army at age 18 and was stationed in Anchorage, Alaska, and the Mojave Desert in California. He returned to Maine, where he met and married the love of his life, Patricia Gourley, on July 26, 1957. They settled in Harmony, where they built a home and started their family.
He spent many years working as a bulldozer operator on various construction jobs, including Interstate 95 and Dow Air Force Base. In the mid-'60s, in his spare time, he constructed a sawmill in Harmony, which became Morrison Lumber Co. He sawed and sold lumber for about 10 years. During that time, he also transported blueberries from Kingsbury to Franklin, which became a family project, as he always included a family member on his midnight runs to the coast. In the mid-'70s, he began logging as Morrison Forest Products, which is still being operated by his son and grandsons. In 1981, he purchased Chadbourne & Watson's garage, now Morrison's Garage, which is also still family-operated.
For many years he was an active member in the Harmony Patriarch's Club. He was instrumental in purchasing amusement rides that were used for many years at the Harmony Labor Day Fair. He was also involved in many community projects, including the construction of the tennis court, the basketball court and the baseball field.
John lived his life for his family. He was always creating memories, which included snowmobiling to the Big Horn for a cookout, camping in Old Orchard Beach, attending horse shows and the road trip to California. He will be so deeply missed.
John is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Patricia; his son, Tracy, and friend Lora of Harmony; daughters Lori Poirier and husband Tim, of Harmony, Susan Bowman and husband Kevin, of St. Albans, and Diane Steeves and husband John, of Skowhegan; 11 grandchildren whom is he very proud of; and sisters Nina Morrison, of Portland, Ethel Pare, of Dover-Foxcroft, and Annie McKenney, of Parkman.
He was predeceased by his parents, brother Francis Morrison and sister Mary Johnson.
Visiting hours will be on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2014, from 2 to 5 p.m. at Smart & Edwards Funeral Home, 183 Madison Ave., Skowhegan.
Funeral services will be held on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2014, at 2 p.m. at the Harmony Elementary School gymnasium, 18 Main St., Harmony, with pastor Hugh Coulbourn officiating.
Burial will take place later in the spring at the Chadbourne Cemetery in Harmony.
Donations may be made in his memory to Harmony Ambulance, 37 North Road, Harmony, ME 04942; or the Aliza Jean family, c/o Bangor Savings Bank, P.O. Box 454, Skowhegan, ME 04976.