MILLINOCKET – Richard John Morrison, known to his many friends as Dick, passed away peacefully Oct. 25, 2009, surrounded by his loving family. Dick was born March 11, 1927, the 10th and youngest child of Daniel and Clara (Russell) Morrison. Dick graduated from Stearns High School in 1944 in abstentia, after joining the U.S. Navy at the tender age of 17, despite the objections of his parents. Dick was in the amphibious forces and later served on the repair ship USS Dionysus. Upon discharge from the Navy, Dick attended Ricker College and discovered his lifelong love of poetry. He would have been a fabulous English teacher, but like so many young men from Millinocket, he returned to his hometown, married the love of his life, Lucille McNamara, and began a career at Great Northern Paper Co. He retired in 1988 as superintendent of maintenance in the Woodlands Department. Dick’s avocation was music. An accomplished jazz saxophonist, he formed the Dick Morrison Band, playing for generations of prom goers and New Year’s Eve revelers, and provided live music every Thursday and Saturday night at Hotel Terrace for many years. Dick was a skilled golfer, fisherman, pool shark and cook. He was instrumental in the organizing of Hillcrest Golf Club and served as one of its first presidents. He relished his fishing trips to Nesowourdnehunk Lake and in later years, his hunting camp at Loon Lake. He told stories of hanging out in the pool hall as a young boy and his prowess behind a pool cue proved his story true. Even in his elder years his skill with a cue stick could leave an unsuspecting younger player in awe. Dick was a member of the Veterans’ of Foreign Wars and the American Legion, and was known for putting on dinners for his crew at “the shop” as well as for his fellow veterans. For all of Dick’s interests, his true passion was his family. His beloved wife of 58 years, Lucille, predeceased him just two short months ago. He is survived by his two loving daughters, Nancy Moscone and her husband, Tony, of East Millinocket and Gail Fanjoy and her husband, Bob, of Millinocket. Dick adored children and was blessed with granddaughters, Lindsay Corson and her husband, Patrick, of Ellsworth and Julia Duross and her husband, Matt, of Lyman. The last three years of his life saw the addition of his precious great-grandson, Isiah Robert Corson. Dick also leaves a much-loved sister, Ethel Cianchette of Pittsfield; and a brother, Fred Morrison and his wife, Leatha, of Millinocket. He is also survived by devoted sisters-in-law, Sylvia Ann McNamara of Millinocket and Maryjane McNamara of Florida. He was predeceased by his dear sisters, Geraldine Tara and her husband, Jozef, Marguerite Doane and her husband, Raymond, Grace Greene and her husband, Harold, Eleanor Horne and her husband, Charles, and most recently Violet Neal and her husband, Jack; older brothers, Donald Morrison and his wife, Ann, and Roderic Morrison and his wife, Rose; and by his brothers-in-law, Clair Cianchette and John McNamara. He leaves many nieces and nephews in his large and close-knit family. Friends are invited to visit with the family 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Tuesday at Lamson Funeral Home, 11 Tamarack St., Millinocket, where funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 28, with the Rev. Carolyn Bradley officiating. Interment will be afterward at Millinocket Cemetery. Gifts in memory of Dick may be sent to Katahdin Friends, Inc., 1024 Central St., Millinocket, ME 04462 or Hillcrest Golf Club, P.O. Box 739, Millinocket, ME 04462. Messages of condolence may be expressed at www.lamsonfh.com.
RICHARD JOHN MORRISON
