James E. Morse
May 31, 1936 ~ May 13, 2020
James E. Morse, III, 83, of Danvers, husband of Christine R. (Ludden) Morse, died Wednesday, May 13, 2020 after a brief illness.
Born in Salem on May 31, 1936, he was the son of the late James Ellison and Natalie B. (Kenney) Morse, Jr. Jim was a graduate of Holten High School, Class of 1954. He obtained an associate degree in business from Nichols College where he was the captain of the Lacrosse team. He then attended the American Institute of Banking and proudly served for 8 years in the Army Reserves, 94th Infantry Division.
Jim began his banking career working for the Danvers National Bank and later at Merchant’s Warren National Bank in Salem and Peabody. For 17 years Jim was the owner/operator of James IV Cleaning, Inc. and in later years serviced Raytheon Corp. and Masconomet Regional High School. Jim had fond memories of playing Twilight League Baseball with his brothers Phillip and Richard. Jogging with friends in the 80’s led to a dream come true when he ran, and finished, both the 93rd and 94th Boston Marathons.
Jim was a member of the Danvers Historical Society, the Rebecca Nurse Homestead, the Polish Club and Planet Fitness. In retirement, Jim’s love of gardening led him to part-time work at Clark Farm and later working at The Daily Harvest for his dear friends Tim and Brit Raesly. Jim and his wife Christine celebrated 57 years of marriage this month.
Jim was the devoted and proud Father of James E. Morse, IV and his wife Debra (Ventresca) of York, ME; Christopher Morse and his wife Patricia (Jones) of Kennebunk, ME; and his daughter Jennifer and her fiancé Keith Foley of Peabody, MA. He so loved his “grandgirls” Hailey & Olivia of York, ME; Anna of Kennebunk, ME; and Nora Foley of Peabody, MA.
He loved and admired his two Brothers, Richard H. Morse and his wife Sheila of Duxbury, MA and Phillip H. Morse and his wife Susan of Lake George, NY and their children.
Graveside services will be private. Family and friends will be invited to honor Jim with a Memorial Mass and a celebration of his life in coming months. In lieu of flowers, donations in Jim’s memory may be made to the St. Vincent de Paul Society, c/o Saint Mary of the Annunciation Church, 24 Conant St., Danvers, MA 01923 or the Discalced Carmelite Nuns, 15 Mt. Carmel Rd., Danvers, MA 01923. Arrangements are by C.R. Lyons & Sons Funeral Directors, 28 Elm St., Danvers Square. To leave a message of condolence and for updated funeral information, please visit www.LyonsFuneral.com.
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Danvers has lost a favorite brother and son. Jim was everything a gentleman could be.
So sad to hear my good buddy “Jimbo” has left us. So many fun stories about him as we spent hours and miles jogging together with others. He was my inspiration in running the Boston Marathon. He had to listen to me beside him for 26.2 miles but he was a loyal running partner as well as a friend. We did many road races together and had great nicknames for each other. After our jogging careers ended I enjoyed seeing him in the past year at the Planet Fitness Club where we picked up again like we never left each other. Jim loved his wife Christine and his family and talked about how they enjoyed watching their grandchild of daughter Jennifer on certain days.
Hope is is looking down at us all and is free of pain.
Do your research Jimbo….find out when the marathon on Heaven is coming up…catch you at the starting line. Miss you buddy!
Dear Chris- I’m so sorry Chris. Thinking of you- May he Rest In Peace
Love, Rose 🙏🙏🙏
Jimmy was the kindest, sweetest man we knew – a true gentleman. We will never forget you and will take care of your Pixie. Rest in peace sweet man – we will miss you.
Love, Karen & Cliff
One the nicest guys I worked with at Masconomet high school. Jim was a caring , supportive, friend. Even though he retired many years ago, masco was a better place because of jim’s time there. Condolences to family.
Jimmy was the leader of our gang. A better person you’ll never meet. Chas.
Di and I were shocked and saddened by the unexpected passing of Jim. When we were growing up in the 50’s, the Morse family stood as the quintessential American family often depicted on TV shows (Father Knows Best, Ozzie and Harriet) for the all of the values that we hold dear: love of mankind, community involvement, outstanding work ethic and a caring and respect for others that knew no bias. Jim’s wife, Chris blended perfectly with Jim to follow the legacy that preceded him. Jim’s father was the II. Jim was the III and Jim’s son was the IV. Jim’s brothers may not have had a Roman numeral after their name, but they are very much the same as Jim. Jim loved people: his family, his teammates, his neighbors, his co-workers and just the guy he met on the street. In reality Jim has many more than 2 “brothers” and all of us consider ourselves lucky that he stayed in Danvers, he will very much be missed.
Jim was always one of my favorite relatives. His “out of the blue” phone calls were wonderful. The relationship he kept up with all the Thurrell clan was priceless. He and Chris always came to part (or all) of our bi-annual reunions at the lake. I’ll never forget the morning I found him asleep on our sofa with only his jacket over him. The person who was to have shared his bedroom had been snoring so loudly that he couldn’t sleep so rather than waking anyone else up for a blanket, just made do….and was SO gracious about it.
Enjoy your time with Uncle Rog, now. We will miss you!
Love, Peg Nichols
The Morse Brothers at their induction into the DHS Blue and White Hall of Fame!
Miss you so much. Best Papa ever.
So sorry to learn of Jimmy’s death. Our condolences to Christine and the entire Morse family. Rest In Peace Jim.
Christine, It was with great sadness that we heard about Jimmy’s passing. Our family reaches out to you with love, thoughts and prayers. You were such a special friend and for that we thank you. Losing someone as amazing as Jimmy must be difficult but hopefully all the friends reaching out to you and your family will help to ease your loss.
My son Jake and I met Jim and Chris about 4 years ago when we moved next door.My life has changed for the better since that day they are the most wonderful kind hearted people I have ever been blessed to call my friends.Jim (GUAPO) was like a father to me but now I have an angel miss you so much Guapo and love you even more I will keep and eye on Chris for you I LOVE YOU and miss you Missy xoxo
Chris, I am so sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. He will be so missed by you and the family. I will miss seeing him at the 10 0’clock mass every Sunday and enjoying the fellowship at coffee after mass. A wonderful gentle caring man.
Ruth Sweeney
It was very sad to hear of Jimmy’s passing. I first met him at Planet Fitness, we became good friends and had many discussions over the years. He often expressed how much he and his wife enjoyed their time caring for their new granddaughter. Jim was a gentleman and a terrific person. He will be sorely missed by all who ever came in contact with him. Rest in Peace my friend….Steve Sherriff
Chris — we will all miss those twinkly blue eyes and contagious smile. All our love Ann and Margaret
Pixie and family, Please accept our most heartfelt sympathies for the loss of Jim. Our thoughts are with you during this most difficult time. Love, Al and Janet Bovio
Anna, i’m so sorry for the loss of your Grandfather. He was such a sweet man. Love you hunny.
Chris,
I am so sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. This world loses with the passing of people like Jim. You and the boys have my deepest sympathies.
Chris, so sorry to hear of Jim’s passing! You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers! We will always fondly recall Jim’s kind and loving way that made us feel special! Love, Ed and Jan Peetz
Chris, we just saw about Jimmy. He was the great guy.
Always remember at our last reuinion, HE looked better than
Everyone else !! He will be missed. John Pat Faino