U.S. Army veteran worked for Polaroid
Published in the May 13, 2016 edition
CHELSEA — James L. Morris, 83, a longtime resident of Melrose, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 4, at the Chelsea Soldiers Home.
Born in Malden on Sept. 5, 1932, he was one of two children of the late Charles and Rita (Amirault) Morris.
Jim was raised in Malden and graduated from Malden High School where he played football and ran track. He proudly served his country as a sergeant in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. After receiving an honorable discharge, he was married on Nov. 3, 1957 and settled in Melrose to raise a family.
Mr. Morris was a dedicated production control employee for Polaroid Corp. for many years.
Mr. Morris had a passion for the game of football that began while playing tight end in high school and continued on the sideline as an enthusiastic supporter of his children and grandchildren. He had a great appreciation for the game and was a regular attendee for his children’s games from Pop Warner all the way to the collegiate level. While at home, he loved watching college football, especially Boston College, as well as the NFL.
Jim was devoted to his Catholic faith and a longtime parishioner of Incarnation Church, and St. Michael Chapel while living at the Chelsea Soldiers Home. In his youth, he played in the Malden Drum and Bugle Corps and had an appreciation for music, especially classical piano.
Jim along with wife Pat spent many happy summer weekends on the Cape at their cottage in West Dennis with their family and friends. With his strong work ethic, he was always busy during the week at Polaroid and did work around the house on the weekends. He enjoyed nights out to dinner or dancing with Pat and loved holidays or events with his entire family. With a quick wit and dry sense of humor, he enjoyed making his family laugh and was friendly to anyone he met. Above all else, he was a devoted family man who was forever proud of his children and grandchildren.
He will be lovingly remembered as the beloved husband of Julia “Pat” (Hayes) Morris with whom he shared 58 years of marriage. He was the devoted father of Carol M. Galvin and her husband David of Topsfield, Steven R. Morris and his wife Carrie of Glen Ellyn, Ill., James M. Morris and his wife Lisa of Cape Elizabeth, Maine and the late Corinne A. Johnson. He was the dear brother of Doris DiNardi. He was the cherished grandfather of James Johnson, Julie Galvin, Lindsay Galvin, Madeline Morris, Megan Morris, Nolan Morris, Mitchell Morris and Eva Morris.
Relatives and friends will gather in honor of Jim’s life for visiting hours at the Robinson Funeral Home, 809 Main St., Melrose on Friday, May 6 from 4 to 8 p.m., and for a Mass of Christian Burial at the Church of the Incarnation, 429 Upham St., Melrose on Saturday at 11 a.m. Interment with U.S. Army honors in West Parish Garden Cemetery, Andover. For online tribute or directions visit RobinsonFuneralHome.com.
