Rockport - Richard William "Mo" Morris (87) passed away on April 20, 2026. Richard, known to some as Dick, and to others as Mo, was devoted to his family, his friends and his community. There are no words big enough to convey the incredible love he had for his wife Sue; his four children, Michael, Tim, Betsy and Becca; his 15 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Born on May 11, 1938, in Lawrence, MA, to George and Rita (Ford) Morris, Mo grew up in the Tower Hill neighborhood, where he formed friendships that lasted a lifetime. He was predeceased by his brother George Morris, and is survived by George's wife Jetta, and his brother Robert Morris and his wife Kathi.

In 1958 his world changed when he met his best friend, Susan (Kolterjahn) Morris, at the Sandy Bay Yacht Club — she threw a snowball at him and their love story began. Sue and Mo were married for 64 years. In addition to his wife Sue, Mo is survived by their children: Michael Morris and his wife Linda; Tim Morris and his wife Karen; Betsy (Morris) Quinn and her husband Mike; and Becca (Morris) Campbell and her husband Don; his grandchildren: Ryan, John, Ben and his wife Jessica, and Ellie Morris; Chris Zaremba and his wife Angela; Sammy LaFoe and her husband Brandon; Richard Morris and his wife Carley; Alex Morris; Kate, Patrick, and Hannah Quinn; and Gus, Toby, Riley, and Caroline Campbell; as well as his great-grandchildren: Nash, Hunter, Sloane, Brody and Calvin, and several nieces and nephews, who still argue over who was his favorite.

Mo joined the U.S. Coast Guard in 1956 and began his service at Station Straitsmouth, Rockport. He served aboard the USCGC General Greene and was also stationed at Dolliver's Neck in Gloucester, where he completed his Coast Guard career. Following his military service, Mo spent nearly 30 years in industrial photo product and chemical sales for DuPont, and finished his career with MTH, traveling the world with his wife Sue by his side.

In 1976 Mo and Sue purchased the first parsonage of West Parish Church in Andover, built in 1826. While raising their four children, they painstakingly restored the home, alongside their family, earning a Historic Preservation Award. In 1976 at the age of 38, and while working full-time, raising a family, attending college nights and weekends, and restoring their 200-year-old home, Richard graduated from Merrimack College with a BS in Business Administration.

When Mo and Sue relocated to Rockport in 1993, he devoted his exceptional woodworking skills to weekly volunteer work on Thacher Island, where he served for more than 30 years. He treasured his time on the island, and most of all, the friendships he built there. In addition to being a member of the Thacher work crew, he served on the Thacher Island Town Committee, was a Director of the Sandy Bay Historical Society, served on the Halibut Point Committee, and was President of the Old Garden Beach Association.

Beyond his official volunteer duties, Mo was best known for his willingness to help anyone in need, never seeking recognition. Whether fabricating a beach wheelchair so a child could enjoy the ocean, building a Christmas manger for a family who lost their home in a fire, repairing furniture, building tables, or polishing brass for the church, he loved helping people and contributing to his community. He gave so much to so many, always with a ready smile. Above all he will be remembered for the incredible love he had for his wife Sue, his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and his many, many friends.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, May 18 at 11 a.m. at the First Congregational Church, 12 School Street, Rockport. A reception will immediately follow in the church's fellowship hall. His ashes will be spread in a private family ceremony at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Thacher & Straitsmith Islands Association. PO Box 73, Rockport, MA 01966 or www.thacherisland.org