Chester Ordway Morris Obituary (1939 - 2011)

Portland, Maine Chester ''Chet'' Ordway Morris passed away on Monday, January 10, 2011 at the Barron Center in Portland, Maine. He was born in Pasadena, California on April 12, 1939 the son of Russell and Harriet Morris. He grew up in Pasadena and attended schools there. He began playing the sousaphone in 7th grade and marched in the Tournament of Roses parade for 5 years. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy having participated in the ''Operation Dominic II nuclear tests in the Pacific in 1961 and 1962. During the Vietnam Conflict, he served aboard both the USS Midway and the USS Ticonderoga. He moved to Portland, Maine in 1987 where he resided until his death. After moving to Maine, he worked as a pastry and salad chef at the ''Seaman's Club'' once located in the Old Port section of Portland. Chet was active in many veteran related organizations - he was Chef de Gare in the 40&8, chaplain in the American Legion Post #86, Grey Post, a member in the Deering Oaks VFW, a member of the USS Ticonderoga Veteran's Association, a member of the USN Naval Institute. He also regularly volunteered at Susan Collins' headquarters in Portland during campaign years, and as parade chairman also enlarged the Veterans' Day Parade in Portland and was responsible to have the Blue Angels to fly overhead during the parade. Chet had a true love of the sea and felt most alive when he was near it. He was a brilliant artist, an avid history, military and movie buff and a long time traveler. He was always anxious to see new places at the drop of a hat. He was also a life long jokester who found humor in nearly every aspect of life. He is survived by his son, John Russell Morris of California, his mother, Mrs. Russell Harriet Morris of Waterville,Maine; his sister, Mary Louise Tremblay and her husband Norman Quirion of Winslow, Maine; his niece, Elizabeth Couture and her husband Bernard, his great-niece, Maria Couture, and his great-nephew, Edward Couture all of Fredericksburg, Virginia. He was predeceased by his son, Floyd Russell Morris; his father, Russell W. Morris; his brother-in-law and Navy buddy, Charles ''Chuck'' Tremblay, his close friend, Edigio '' Eddie'' Costales, and his cat, Nicodemus. There will be a funeral service scheduled at a later date. His ashes will be scattered at sea by the US Navy south of Hawaii. Arrangements were made through the Gallant Funeral Home 10 Elm Street Waterville, Maine. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------