David E. Morrison

David E. Morrison, 82, beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle, teacher, and mainstay of the Kittery community, passed away peacefully on March 5, 2026, surrounded by family and close friends.

Born in Millinocket, Maine on August 27, 1943, David was the son of Donald and Ann Morrison. On August 29, 1965, David married Betty Ann Levesque Morrison at the First Congregational Church in Millinocket.

David was devoted to Betty. The two shared a loving relationship over their 54 years of marriage, as well as two children, Jennifer Dunham and Richard Morrison. Even after Betty's passing in 2020, he continued to honor her memory on social media and in frequent conversations with family and friends.

David graduated from Washington State Teacher's College in 1965, University of New Hampshire, and the University of Maine, Portland-Gorham with a master's degree in education in 1971. He began a long and distinguished career in education, teaching history at Frisbee Junior High and Shapleigh Middle School in the Kittery School District. "Mr. Morrison" instilled a love of learning and attention to high academic standards into all of his students.

As a teacher and colleague, David was known for his sharp wit, and an exacting command of English grammar. He mined knowledge gained over years of voracious reading of history and biographies to inform his lessons, making history come alive to Kittery students over more than 38 years as a teacher.

Upon retiring from active teaching in 2003, David continued to serve as a long-term substitute, guiding and educating multiple generations of the same local families. He applied his love and knowledge of history by volunteering as a docent at the Kittery Historical and Naval Museum for many years. In his free time, he could often be seen walking along Bridge Street with his steadfastly loyal canines Duke, Dutchess, Brutus, Cleo, Red, Bosco, Percy, Balboa, and Bailey.

Some often mistook David's plainspoken Yankee manner for irascibility. His friends and associates, however, knew him as an inveterate and notorious prankster, playing tricks in good fun on those closest to him. He especially loved sharing jokes via email and social media. He will perhaps best be remembered as a considerate and loyal friend, quietly assisting aging friends and neighbors alongside his beloved Betty.

David is survived by his daughter Jennifer, son Richard and his wife Lisa Morrison, grandchildren Michael Dunham, Melissa Smith and husband Travis Smith, great granddaughter Cirilla Smith, Caulin Morrison, Ryan Morrison, nieces Deborah, Rhonda, Susan, Karen, Alexis, Stephanie, Deb and nephews Glen, Donald, and Robert. He was predeceased by his wife Betty, brother, Donald Morrison, sister, Daphine Allen, and twin brother, Daniel Morrison.

Visiting hours will be held at Pelkey's Funeral Home on Friday, March 20, 2026 from 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM

A funeral service will be held at St. John's Episcopal Church, 101 Chapel St, Portsmouth, NH 03801 on March 21, 2026 at 11:00 AM with a reception to follow.