William Osborne Morrow, 66, of Eastern Avenue, husband of
Susanne R. (Dempsey) Morrow, died peacefully Monday, December
21, 2009 in the Beverly Hospital following his battle with
cancer.
Born in Ipswich January 8, 1943, son of the late John H. and
Florence I. “Flossie” (Osborne) Morrow, he was a graduate of
Gloucester High School. Immediately following graduation he
began his service with the U.S. Coast Guard, stationed in
Gloucester. He served a training tour of duty on the U.S.S.
Eagle, traveling much of the world. After his service aboard the
Eagle he manned the White Island Lighthouse on the Isles of
Shoals, NH, later joining the Search and Rescue Team in
Gloucester.
Bill was employed for more than a decade as a long-distance
truck driver. He loved driving trucks, especially his routes to
Vermont and Maine. For many years he worked for Woodman’s Inc.
in Essex. During this time he was employed in a variety of
capacities, and especially loved his time as the Lobster Trap
bartender.
Bill’s love of the water was prevalent in all aspects of his
life, whether it be his Coast Guard service, simply going
“down river” in his boat, or to enjoy time in his backyard
pool. Off the water, Bill was an active member of the Veteran
Fireman’s League and spent many years as the flagman and pumper
for the “We Will Try” handtub. He later served as a judge for
the New England States and was also a past President of the
Essex Veterans Fireman’s Association. He remained active in
Veterans Affairs with his involvement with the American Legion
AP Gardner Post #194 of Hamilton, where he was a Past Commander
and was active until his recent illness.
In addition to his wife of forty-three years, he is survived by
three daughters, Michelle Morrow Curreri and husband Giuseppe of
Beverly, Heather Jermyn and husband Stephen of West Gloucester
and Danielle Dort and husband Richard of Essex. Papa will also
sadly missed by his six grandchildren, Olivia and Sophia Curreri,
both of Beverly, Zachary and Emily Jermyn, both of West
Gloucester and Jasmine and Ashley Dort, both of Essex He is also
survived by a brother, John H. Morrow and wife Elaine of
Ipswich; two nephews, David and Daniel Morrow both of Ipswich
and a niece Carolyn Nistl of Hamilton.
His funeral services will be held Monday December 28, 2009 at 11
am in the Ascension Memorial Church, 31 County St., Ipswich,
followed by interment with Coast Guard Honors in the Spring
Street Cemetery, Essex. Family and friends are respectfully
welcomed. Visiting hours are Sunday 4 to 8 pm at the
Whittier-Porter Funeral Home, 6 High Street, Ipswich, with a
service by the AP Gardner Post #194 at 7 PM. The family requests
that in lieu of flowers memorial contributions in his name may
be made to the Jimmy Fund, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Attn:
contribution services, 10 Brookline Place West, 6th
floor, Brookline, MA 02445-7226 or to the Past Commanders
Scholarship Fund, c/o American Legion A.P. Gardner Post, 37
School St., Hamilton, MA 01936
