SOUTH DENNIS — John B. Morris, 86, peacefully passed away on Monday, Oct. 12, 2009.
He was the husband of Elizabeth A. Morris for the past 24 years.
Born in Watertown, N.Y., on Jan. 15, 1923, he spent his early life in both Utica and the Bronx, N.Y. John served in the Navy from July 1941 to 1947, in the Pacific and South Pacific Theater of operations. In the year of 1950, he was recalled to active duty for the Korean Peace Action and served on the battleship USS Mississippi.
John attended Fordham University, Cook College at Rutgers University and graduated from RCA Institute in New York City. He worked for the New York Telephone Co. for 38 years and retired in 1985. During this time, he was involved in establishing video transmission for all the networks in the New York City area.
In 1968, he moved to Califon, N.J., with his late first wife Madeline. During this period, he was chairman of the Califon Planning Board for eight years. He later served as councilman and police commissioner. John was one of the founding members the Califon Historical Society.
After the passing of his first wife, he married Elizabeth A. O'Brien and later moved to Brewster in 1988. During this time, he continued his desires of shaping the local community as a member of the Brewster Planning Board.
During his time on the Cape, John enjoyed many of the great gifts that the Cape possesses, spending many hours sailing on waters of Pleasant Bay and playing golf. Perhaps one of his favorite pastimes was daily conversations with the "pot-bellied stove gang" that gathers around the Brewster General Store.
John was an amateur radio operator since 1948. He was a member of the Society of Wireless Pioneers, Escort Carrier Sailors and Airmen Association and Telephone Pioneers of America.
In addition to his wife Elizabeth, he is survived by his stepchildren, Ann M. O'Brien of Brewster, Timothy P. O'Brien of New York City, Terence L. O'Brien and his wife Julie of Marshfield, and Kevin T. O'Brien and his wife Bridget of Cohasset; and his six stepgrandchildren, as well as nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral services that will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 16, 2009, at Our Lady of The Cape Church, at 468 Stonybrook Road, Brewster, MA 02631.
Visiting hours are from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009, at the Doane, Beal & Ames Funeral Home, 729 Route 134, South Dennis.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of John B. Morris, to St. Luke's Parish, 265 West Mill Road, P.O. Box 416, Long Valley, NJ 07853.
Doane, Beal & Ames
508-385-7116
Published in the Cape Cod Times on 10/14/2009
