1923
Richard
2014
Richard Aloysius 'Dick' Morris
January 13, 1923 — November 28, 2014
Richard A. Morris
Richard Aloysius Morris ("Dick"), 91, died peacefully on Friday, November 28, 2014 in Holyoke, Massachusetts.
A veteran of World War II, he piloted a P51D Mustang named "Mart's Cart" in combat with the 77th Fighter Squadron of the Eighth Air Force over Western Europe.
Dick was born in Ilion, New York on January 13, 1923, son of Thomas and Margaret (Curley) Morris.
He was the middle child of nine siblings. His early education took place at North Street Elementary and Annunciation Schools where he excelled at Spelling and where he discovered his love of Football.
He joined the "Gimmicks" football team in 7th grade since he lived in the East side of Ilion ("Gimmickville").
At Ilion High School, Dick lettered in Football, Track and Basketball, garnering many Honors and Sportsmanship awards.
According to him, his greatest achievement at IHS was to convince Martha Davala to fall in love with him.
Many happy summers were spent at the Family Camp at Sylvan Beach on Oneida Lake.
He began his long career with Remington Arms in 1941 and attended night classes at Syracuse University, and then volunteered for duty in the Army Air Corps in 1942.
Victories piloting "Mart's Cart" included 3 planes in the air and 6 more planes and 3 railroad trains on the ground in Germany.
At one point, the eldest five Morris brothers were serving in the military during WW II.
Dick married Martha in September, 1945 and graduated from Cornell University with a B.S. degree in Industrial Labor Relations.
At Remington Arms in Ilion, he was recognized for Managerial talent early and groomed for leadership in various gun manufacturing and powdered metal divisions during 39 years of service.
During that time, Dick joined the 414th Civil Affairs Army Reserve Unit in Utica and was activated twice during the Korean War and Vietnam Conflict to train other units in Military Government functions.
He temporarily moved his family to Fort Gordon in Augusta, Georgia after the Cuban Missile Crisis and remained in the Reserves for 20 years.
He attained the rank of Major.
While he still enjoyed playing softball and bowling, he became his children's spelling coach, carpooler and most avid athletic devotee.
He was known to pilot the motor boat that towed the family's water-skiers, played Santa Claus on Christmas Eve, build the fire to roast marshmallows and manage back flips off the diving board; his nieces and nephews tell stories about Uncle Dick teaching them to play golf and poker.
His 60th birthday was spent riding a bobsled down Mount Van Hoevenberg in Lake Placid.
Retirement years were spent at Half Moon Beach on Piseco Lake, New York as well as Venice, Florida, where Dick enjoyed sailing, swimming, playing golf, bridge and cocktails on the beach with family.
Dick is survived by his children, Anne ("Betsy") Klupa of Longmeadow, Massachusetts and R. William ("Bill") Morris of Ilion, New York and by brothers, James of North Port, Florida, Alfred of Ilion, Donald of Pensacola, Florida and Robert of Venice, Florida.
He was predeceased by his wife of 49 years, Martha Davala Morris and by his son, Stephen ("Steve") Morris.
He was also predeceased by his brothers, Thomas, Edward and John Morris.
Dick's only sister, Margaret ("Peggy") passed recently in April. He was the devoted Grandfather to Patrick, R. Michael, Mary and Kathleen Klupa, Scott, Greg, Kelly and Brian Morris and Melissa and Seth Morris.
Dick was Great Grandfather to 11 children and Uncle to 33.
His vitality, sense of humor, flair for dapper dressing and gentlemanly manner will always be lovingly remembered by his survivors.
He exemplified the term "A Life Well Lived."
Dick's funeral is scheduled at 11 AM on Saturday, December 13th at the Church of the Annunciation in Ilion, New York.
Friends may call on Saturday from 9-10:30am at the Whiter-Hendrix Funeral Home at 100 Otsego Street, Ilion will precede the Mass.
Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Herkimer, in the Spring.
In lieu of all flowers, please consider donations to the Wounded Warrior Project, National Processing Center, P.O. Box 758541, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8541 or to Hospice & Palliative Care, 4277 Middle Settlement Road, New Hartford, New York 13413.
Visitation
9:00 am - 10:00 am Saturday, December 13, 2014
Whiter-Hendrix Funeral Home Inc.
100 Otsego St.
Ilion
13357
Richard Aloysius Morris ("Dick"), 91, died peacefully on Friday, November 28, 2014 in Holyoke, Massachusetts.
A veteran of World War II, he piloted a P51D Mustang named "Mart's Cart" in combat with the 77th Fighter Squadron of the Eighth Air Force over Western Europe.
Dick was born in Ilion, New York on January 13, 1923, son of Thomas and Margaret (Curley) Morris.
He was the middle child of nine siblings. His early education took place at North Street Elementary and Annunciation Schools where he excelled at Spelling and where he discovered his love of Football.
He joined the "Gimmicks" football team in 7th grade since he lived in the East side of Ilion ("Gimmickville").
At Ilion High School, Dick lettered in Football, Track and Basketball, garnering many Honors and Sportsmanship awards.
According to him, his greatest achievement at IHS was to convince Martha Davala to fall in love with him.
Many happy summers were spent at the Family Camp at Sylvan Beach on Oneida Lake.
He began his long career with Remington Arms in 1941 and attended night classes at Syracuse University, and then volunteered for duty in the Army Air Corps in 1942.
Victories piloting "Mart's Cart" included 3 planes in the air and 6 more planes and 3 railroad trains on the ground in Germany.
At one point, the eldest five Morris brothers were serving in the military during WW II.
Dick married Martha in September, 1945 and graduated from Cornell University with a B.S. degree in Industrial Labor Relations.
At Remington Arms in Ilion, he was recognized for Managerial talent early and groomed for leadership in various gun manufacturing and powdered metal divisions during 39 years of service.
During that time, Dick joined the 414th Civil Affairs Army Reserve Unit in Utica and was activated twice during the Korean War and Vietnam Conflict to train other units in Military Government functions.
He temporarily moved his family to Fort Gordon in Augusta, Georgia after the Cuban Missile Crisis and remained in the Reserves for 20 years.
He attained the rank of Major.
While he still enjoyed playing softball and bowling, he became his children's spelling coach, carpooler and most avid athletic devotee.
He was known to pilot the motor boat that towed the family's water-skiers, played Santa Claus on Christmas Eve, build the fire to roast marshmallows and manage back flips off the diving board; his nieces and nephews tell stories about Uncle Dick teaching them to play golf and poker.
His 60th birthday was spent riding a bobsled down Mount Van Hoevenberg in Lake Placid.
Retirement years were spent at Half Moon Beach on Piseco Lake, New York as well as Venice, Florida, where Dick enjoyed sailing, swimming, playing golf, bridge and cocktails on the beach with family.
Dick is survived by his children, Anne ("Betsy") Klupa of Longmeadow, Massachusetts and R. William ("Bill") Morris of Ilion, New York and by brothers, James of North Port, Florida, Alfred of Ilion, Donald of Pensacola, Florida and Robert of Venice, Florida.
He was predeceased by his wife of 49 years, Martha Davala Morris and by his son, Stephen ("Steve") Morris.
He was also predeceased by his brothers, Thomas, Edward and John Morris.
Dick's only sister, Margaret ("Peggy") passed recently in April. He was the devoted Grandfather to Patrick, R. Michael, Mary and Kathleen Klupa, Scott, Greg, Kelly and Brian Morris and Melissa and Seth Morris.
Dick was Great Grandfather to 11 children and Uncle to 33.
His vitality, sense of humor, flair for dapper dressing and gentlemanly manner will always be lovingly remembered by his survivors.
He exemplified the term "A Life Well Lived."
Dick's funeral is scheduled at 11 AM on Saturday, December 13th at the Church of the Annunciation in Ilion, New York.
Friends may call on Saturday from 9-10:30am at the Whiter-Hendrix Funeral Home at 100 Otsego Street, Ilion will precede the Mass.
Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Herkimer, in the Spring.
In lieu of all flowers, please consider donations to the Wounded Warrior Project, National Processing Center, P.O. Box 758541, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8541 or to Hospice & Palliative Care, 4277 Middle Settlement Road, New Hartford, New York 13413.
Visitation
9:00 am - 10:00 am Saturday, December 13, 2014
Whiter-Hendrix Funeral Home Inc.
100 Otsego St.
Ilion
13357
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