James F. Morrison

James F. Morrison, husband of Grace Ahearn Morrison, died Monday April 12, 2004 in Tallahassee, Florida, where they lived since 1976. He was the son of the late Francis H. Morrison and Jane Spellman Morrison. Jay grew up in Norwich, Connecticut, and graduated from Norwich Free Academy. In 1943 he joined the Army Air Corps, serving until 1946, when he was discharged as a Sergeant, having served in the European Theater of Operations. He graduated from Providence College in 1950, and earned a Master?s Degree from Boston University in Public Administration. In 1954 he married Grace Ahearn. Jay was employed by the Welfare Department for the State of Connecticut, responsible for that Department?s Medicaid Program. Mr. Morrison was a Paul Harris Fellow of the Rotary. He and Grace moved to West Hartford in 1960. There they raised their two children, Anne and J. Thomas. After Jay retired from the Welfare Department, he and Grace moved to Florida, were he held the position of Administrator for the Haines City Health Care facility. He expertly balanced his responsibilities as Administrator with his profound love of bass fishing, to which he was committed with an almost religious fervor. When he retired again in 1997, he no longer had to divide his attention, resulting in a significant drop in Florida?s bass population. His love for fishing was exceeded only by his love for his family. He was devoted to his wife, his children, and his six grandchildren. He is survived by his wife, Grace; his daughter Anne, her husband John Danaher, and their children, Ceara, Brendan, Austin and Mary Kate; and his son Thomas, his wife Jacquie, and their children, Grace and Barbara. He also leaves his cousin Nicholas Spellman of Norwich, CT, his brother-in-law John F. Ahearn and his brother-in-law Edward J. and his wife Mary Gertrude Ahearn. He was predeceased by his sister, Jane. A mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, April 16, 2004 at 9:00 a.m. in St. Peter Claver Church, 47 Pleasant Street, West Hartford. Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery. There are no calling hours. Memorial contributions may be made to the Church of the Good Shepherd, 4655 Thomasville Road, Tallahassee, Florida, 32309 or to a charity of the donor?s choice. The Molloy Funeral Home, West Hartford, is assisting with arrangements.

James F. Morrison

June 20, 1924 - April 12, 2004