Tom R. Morris

Tom R. Morris, 95, of Colebrook Village of Hebron, and formerly of Wayne, NJ, passed away peacefully on June 11, 2022 at Chestelm Health and Rehab Center in Moodus where he was recuperating from surgery.   Born on August 15, 1926 in Indianapolis, IN, Tom was the son of the late Tom and Emma (Simmler) Morris.  He grew up in New Jersey and graduated Central High School at the age of 16.  He then began working for the US Post Office. In 1944 Tom enlisted with the US Navy, serving during WWII and stationed in Hawaii.  He received both the American Theatre Medal and Asiatic Pacific Medal.  Tom married his beloved wife, Elaine Van Valkenburgh in April 1951.   The couple settled in Wayne, NJ where they made their home and raised their family. Elaine predeceased Tom in 1995.  An adventurous couple, they traveled extensively, often with brother and sister-in-law, Ken and Minnie, and enjoyed cruising, with Tom as a widower in later years joining cousin Dot and friends.   After a long career as a letter carrier for the US Postal Service, Tom retired but worked as a travel agent and for a local florist. He was a good provider for his family, and often held two or more jobs. Always the life of the party, he loved watching baseball (GO Mets!), tennis, and in his younger years, watching and attending horse races with Elaine.  He will be sadly missed by many who knew him but most especially by his daughter, Carol and her husband, David Scata of Lebanon, his son, Tom H. Morris and his partner, Angela Lundgren of NJ; grandchildren, Joel and his wife Kim Scata, Jared and his wife, Laura Scata; great grandchildren, Harper and Emersen Scata; his first cousin, Dorothy Harrison, and numerous extended family members and friends. Calling hours will be held on Thursday, June 16th from 4 – 5:30 pm at the Aurora-McCarthy Funeral Home, 167 Old Hartford Rd., Colchester.  A funeral service will follow immediately at 5:30 PM at the funeral home, followed by military honors. He will be laid to rest beside his beloved wife, Elaine with a graveside funeral service on Friday, June 17th at 11:00 am, at the Laurel Grove Memorial Park in Totowa, NJ.  In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Disabled American Veterans, www.dav.org or to the United Methodist Church of Wayne, NJ, 99 Parish Dr., Wayne, NJ 07470.  For online condolences, please visit www.auroramccarthyfuneralhome.com  

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