Page 4. MAINE COASTAL NEWS January 2009
Waterfront News
TOM MORRIS, FOUNDER OF MORRIS YACHTS, PASSES OVER THE BAR
BASS HARBOR – Morris Yachts is designed by Paine began in 1974 and set the
saddened by the loss of their founder course for the company¹s future.
Thomas D.C Morris Sunday, December 7
th
at One of the company¹s slogans ‘Each
1830. Tom was diagnosed with cancer in the one an Owner¹s Original’ was backed up by
summer of 2007 and fought it valiantly. To Tom’s close involvement in the build
those who knew him it will not be surprising process. As a result, Tom became close
to know that he outlived all the friends with his owners and was wined and
doctors’prognoses. He died at home in dined at their homes wherever he went. He
Southwest Harbor, Maine surrounded by enjoyed this immensely.
his loving family. As a boatbuiler, one need only step
The understated Morris was not a aboard a Morris to witness his prowess. Go
native of Maine, but his connection to the through any Morris and you will see his
Pine Tree State goes back more than a many influences no detail was too small a
century. Beginning in the mid-1880s, his true mark of a consummate sailor - hand-
family began what was to become a long holds where they should be, wide, clutter-
tradition of summer vacations in Maine. free decks, a well thought out galley. The
Tom was born in Philadelphia in 1940 and only compliant one might have with him as
developed an early passion for sailing on a sailor is that he was light on the
the family’s A Class sloop, which his provisioning. He would show up for a
grandfather acquired in 1913. Five delivery with a sleeve of saltines and a can
generations sailed the A Class number of herring and maybe a can of corn beef
seven before the family donated her to the hash. All Morris crew knew to bring along
Mystic Seaport museum in 1975 where she extra eats when doing a delivery with Tom.
is on display. When his son Cuyler became President
After an early career in business, of the company in 2001, Tom was able to
Morris gave in to his love of sailing and spend more time sailing. In his new role as
moved to Southwest Harbor, Maine where Ambassador-at-Large, he sailed the first
he set up shop finishing fiberglass Morris yacht S/V Escapade a Morris 46, to
Friendship sloops built by Jarvis Newman. Scotland which also happened to be his first Last year, he took delivery of his very Manager Will Ratcliff in a message to the
In 1972, he opened the doors of Morris transatlantic. As the company¹s official own Morris M42 and cruised it down to crew.
Yachts in a boat shop he built behind the delivery skipper he has sailed the Morris 38, Charleston, SC last spring. And company has a big year ahead.
family house on High Road in Southwest several M36s and the M42 up and down the Tom enjoyed nothing more than Morris will launch the new M52 and M29 in
Harbor. Production of the Frances 26 Atlantic seaboard taking them to the strolling through the Morris shop and early 2009. Under construction for a summer
various boat shows Morris attends. talking with the guys, meeting and visiting 2009 launch are two Ocean Series boats a
with owners and sailing anywhere, any time
Morris 38 and Morris 42. The M-Series line
under any conditions. His legacy will live on
Wood and Fiberglass
currently has six hulls in production.
through Morris Yachts and all those that
In lieu of flowers, the family requests
knew and loved him.
that donations be sent to: The Southwest
New Construction• Mechanical•
“For those of us at Morris Yachts Tom
Harbor Public Library In Memory of Tom
Restorations• Electrical•
leaves behind a legacy of the love of sailing,
Morris; PO Box 157; Southwest Harbor
Hull Finishing• Maintenance•
boatbuilding and working hard for the
Maine 04679 or Mount Desert Island
Joinery• Storage•
simplicity of a job well done. He would take
Custom Boat Building
Community Sailing, In Memory of Tom
no greater pleasure than to know that the
Morris, PO Box 116, Southwest Harbor,
www.sixrivermarine.com
160 Royal Road TEL: (207) 846-6675
work he began so many years ago will
Maine 04679.
info@sixrivermarine.com North Yarmouth, Maine 04097 FAX: (207) 846-6191
continue in his absence,” said General
WINTERPORT
Calvin Beal Jr. 34, 36, 38 & 44
MARINE & BOATYARD
Stable Seakindly Spacious Cockpit Fast
49 Water St., Water Street, Winterport, ME 04496
Now a division of
SW Boatworks
Service Is Our Business, Boats Are Our Pleasure! All models available as kit with
molded top, or custom-finished
Mechanical Repairs Inside Storage
Electrical Repairs Outside Storage
CB-44 (44' X 17')
Painting & Brightwork Dockage & Moorings
SW Boatworks
We are a clean, respectable boatyard that appreciates
Lamoine, Maine 04605
(207) 667-7427
your business. Contact us today at: (207) 223-8885 or www.calvinbealboats.com
www.winterportmarine.com
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