Frank Morze

Frank Morze 73, devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather and friend passed away on Sunday May 28, 2006 following a long battle with heart disease. Morze was born and raised in Gardner, MA, and was a graduate of Boston College where he performed in basketball, track and football gaining Catholic All- American in his senior year and playing on the prestigious Senior Bowl Team in Mobile, AL. He was eventually inducted into the Boston College Hall of Fame. After graduation from B.C. he was drafted as the second pick of the first round by the 49'ers in 1955. However, before his commitment to the 49ers could be fulfilled, Morze served a two-year stint in the Marine Corps as a lieutenant where he continued to play football. He played for the Camp Lejune, NC, base team and in 1956 was named to the Armed Forces Press Services All-Star team. He was given his early release from the Marine Corps in August of 1957 and reported to the 49er training camp that summer. He was one of the top rookies of the year that season and was named first-string offensive center of the Western Division Pro Football All-Stars by The Sporting News. Following his pro football career he joined a family construction company and remained active in sports after his retirement coaching Pop Warner and Little League Baseball. In 1981 he moved to Nevada and started his own steel fabrication company Silver State Steel. Frank Morze is survived by his sister Phyllis Carter; his wife Nancy; three children, Michael Morze, David Morze, and Suzanne Morze; two grandchildren, Kally Morze and Connor Morze and many nieces and nephews. There will be a Memorial Service for Frank Morze to be held at St. Pius Church in Redwood City, CA, on July 8, 11:00 AM. He was one of the first individuals to be placed into Gardner High Football of Fame and the award without question was the one for which he was the most proud. The larger than life legend of Frank Morze from Gardner, MA, will be long remembered in the annals of sports in this city that he was from. In lieu of flowers, the family would like to request that in your remembrance of Frank, please support your local youth athletics.