William MORRIS

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MORRIS: William John (Jack) Morris, of Souris Manitoba, died Tuesday, July 10, 2012 in the Souris Personal Care Home at the age of 91. Jack was born at home in the Huntington District on February 14, 1921 to William & Euphemia Morris. Jack grew up on the family farm where he developed a love for the land, skills to maintain and handle equipment and a fierce independent personality. These skills proved to be valuable qualities for Jack when he joined the Royal Winnipeg Rifles of the Canadian Armed Forces and served in Europe supporting the war effort from 1941 to 1946. One of Jack’s favorite stories from his time in the war was the bond that developed between himself and a lonely little terrier he found outside a pub. He took the dog back to his unit and though it was against regulations, he kept the dog with him and they became an inseparable duo. He named the dog Maggie and she would ride beside him in the truck as Jack transported supplies or men in areas that were often very close to enemy territory. He said Maggie saved many lives in his unit; she had the uncanny skill to distinguish between enemy planes and allied planes. Due to her keen sense of hearing she often forewarned him when enemy planes were approaching, as she would jump off the seat in his truck and hide under Jack’s legs. At the end of the war Jack, with the help of some of his buddies, smuggled Maggie back to Canada on the Queen Mary ship. Back in Canada, Jack returned to the farm where Maggie remained a loyal family pet for several years. In 1989 the Legion interviewed Jack and published this story in their magazine; pretty unique! Being in Europe during the Second World War had a profound and transforming effect on Jack. For the rest of his life he had a fierce love for his country and often lamented when he disagreed with government policy. He was a true patriot with a strong respect for, and loyalty towards, the Armed Forces. He was involved with the local Legion after he made it back to Canada. Jack returned home in 1946, and took up farming in the Souris area. He enjoyed many hunting trips in northern Manitoba with friends and he was one of the original owners of a snow plane. Jack and Gordie Saban spent many hours in the shop building and tweaking their snow planes, which predated the snowmobile. He was also an avid sports enthusiast who enjoyed playing baseball, hockey and curling. The Morris boys, with some neighbours and friends formed the original Cardinals baseball team. They played on a baseball diamond on Jack’s land the first year, and moved the team to Souris the second year. The Cardinals have been a part of Souris history ever since. Jack also curled for many years with a trophy case that proudly displays evidence of his success as a curler. Jack is predeceased by his father and mother, four brothers Robby, Don, Ray and Hugh. He is survived by one brother, Les and two daughters, MaryLynn (Dale Johnson) and Jaqueline, and three grandchildren, Gavin, Miranda and Bryce. The funeral service for Jack Morris was held in Souris at Kowalchuk’s Funeral Chapel on the 16th of July, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. Interment took place at the Souris & Glenwood Cemetery.

As published in Brandon Sun on Jul 21, 2012