John Christopher Morris

John was born in Portland on December 2, 1955, the fourth child of John J. Morris, Jr. and M. Theresa Morris, adding to what would become a family of 10 children. Quieter and more reserved than many of his siblings in a big chaotic family dynamic, John established his own identity as independent, hard working, inquisitive, and determined. After attending Deering High School and Southern Maine Vocational Technical Institute, John worked at Fairchild Semiconductor in South Portland before taking a job repairing tools at M&W Electric in Portland, a job he held for approximately three decades.

John also worked in home construction with his brother, Rob, and together they proudly built a two family home in Portland, where John lived for 34 years up until the time of his passing.

John’s inquisitive mind caused him to be an avid reader with a love of science fiction, Isaac Asimov being one of his favorites. John also loved the writings of J.R.R. Tolkien and eagerly consumed and retained an astounding amount of Tolkien lore.

John was also a devoted New York Giants fan, a love he shared with several of his siblings.

John was possessed of a great sense of humor. His astute observations of the world would often be delivered in the form of humor. Whether irony, sarcasm, puns or his notorious “corny dad jokes” were the currency, he delighted in your appreciation and, in particular, your cringing at the “dad jokes.”

But John’s greatest legacy was one he (rather unsuccessfully) masked behind his oft curmudgeonly persona. John had an absolutely huge and tender heart.

Family was the single most important thing to him and there is nothing that John would not do to assist a family member in need. He would always drop what he was doing to answer a call for help. Often, that call came in the form of a need for pet care by family members who were scheduled to travel, thus exposing yet another special compartment of love in his big heart- his love of animals. Over the years John was a beloved “uncle” and caretaker to countless family pets.

John’s lifelong credo was pure and simple: Be a good person, be there for your friends and family, and always try to do the right thing.

John is survived by eight siblings: Stephanie A. Morris of Gray, Theresa F. Morris and husband Colin Martin of Falmouth, James P. Morris and wife Sherry Francis of Stockton Springs, Patricia E. Morris and husband Ron Bailyn of Cape Elizabeth, Mark J. Morris and wife Laura of Cape Elizabeth, Martin T. Morris of Lake Mary, Florida, Jeffrey N. Morris and wife Monica of Lewiston, and Robert P. Morris and wife Lisa of Portland in addition to being survived by 14 nieces and nephews. John was predeceased by his parents and by his sister Michelle M. Morris of South Portland.

The family is grateful to Gosnell Memorial Hospice House for their extraordinary care during John’s final days.

In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation in John’s memory to Gosnell Memorial Hospice House in Scarborough, Maine or the Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland in Westbrook, Maine. The family plans to have a graveside ceremony at Pine Grove Cemetery in Falmouth at a date to be determined.