Morris Dick Piha

Morris Dick Piha peacefully passed away in his home in Citrus Heights, CA , Friday, October 20, 2017. Morris was born February 6, 1929 in Seattle, WA to Bochor Piha and Esther Galanti Piha, who migrated from the Island of Rhodes.

As a young man, Morris, or Dick as his friends called him, was a natural salesman, selling Singer Sewing Machines and Kirby Vacuum Cleaners door-to-door. He served in the Navy for a short time and had a great time at sea with his friends. Following in his Father’s footsteps, Dick worked in the retail shoe business for 63 yrs. Over those years, he worked for several retail stores, including the original Nordstrom’s shoe store, prior to it becoming a national chain. While working with the Nordstrom’s family, Dick was consistently hailed as their top salesman. Later he managed Karl’s Shoes, owned by Debbie Reynolds’ husband.

Over the years, Dick dreamed of opening his own business. After moving his family to Citrus Heights, CA, his dream came true and he purchased and ran the “Foothill Shoe Tree” which was a retail shoe store and shoe repair shop. In later years, he semi-retired and moved his shoe repair equipment to his garage and started a shoe and luggage repair business.

Although Dick loved the shoe business, the greatest love of his life was his wife of 70 years, Nona, whom he married on October 16, 1947. During their loving marriage, God blessed them with three daughters, Candy, Tammy, Carmella and a son, Sam. This was followed by 15 more blessings; seven grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. Dick and Nona had a beautiful life and shared a mutual love of traveling, singing, dancing and entertaining family and their many friends.

In later years, Dick’s greatest joy was making people smile… by telling his infamous jokes and passing out pockets full of peppermints while out in public. Employees at Costco, Walmart, and medical staff knew him as the “Candy Man” and simply adored him.

As this story comes to a close, those who loved Morris Dick Piha are feeling a great loss. But our hearts are warmed by the thought that there is now a “Candy Man” passing out peppermints in heaven…….