Wawa-news.com You can't hear the 'big picture'!
It is with heavy hearts that the family of John Morrison announces his peaceful passing on Friday December 29, 2023 after four challenging years with Lewy Body Dementia. Born in Matachewan in 1938 to Neil and Hilda Morrison, John moved to Wawa at the age of two where his father was Master Mechanic at the newly revived Helen Mine. The family eventually lived first in a log cabin on Station Road, then in a company house (now 79 Government Road). His adventures on the mountain around Morrison Lake, and his tales of rabbit snares and unruly bears, are legendary. He followed his father to Algoma Ore after graduating from what is now the Haileybury School of Mines, in 1961. He worked his way through many positions at Algoma Ore, retiring in 1997 after 14 years as Safety Supervisor.
John was many things to many people. Above all these, we will remember him as Wawa’s number one ambassador who truly lived the Rotary Club motto, “Service Above Self”. His passions were the Rotary Club of Wawa, fishing, hunting, and sharing his little piece of paradise at the mouth of the Michipicoten River.
Predeceased by his younger sister Madeleine, he leaves behind his life-long companion and travel partner of 58 years Kaireen, his children Johanna Rowe (Sam), and Matthew, his granddaughter Sage Morrison, sister-in-law Pat James (John), nephew and nieces Kent, Laurie and Belinda. He will be dearly missed by all, especially his cousins both near and far.
At this time there will be no funeral services. Cremation has taken place at River’s Edge Cremation Centre, Sault Ste. Marie. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, July 4, 2024 (time and place to be announced closer to the date).
Many thanks to the staff of the Family Health Team and the Lady Dunn Health Centre for the excellent care John received over the years.
Memorial donations to the Rotary Club of Wawa (P.O. Box 280, Wawa, ON P0S 1K0), or to the Lady Dunn Health Centre-Palliative Care (P.O. Box 179, Wawa, ON P0S 1K0) or to the charity of your choice would be greatly appreciated.
(Arrangements entrusted to Kerry Funeral Home, Wawa.
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Condolences to the Morrison family, so sorry for your loss. Prayers for your peace and comfort in this difficult time.
Condolences to the whole family on the loss of John, he was a nice guy and very helpful any time we had the opportunity to be in his company.
My condolences Kaireen, Johanna & Sam, Matthew & Sage!
Dearest Mrs. Morrison, Johanna, Matthew and family,
Very sorry to hear about the passing of your dear Dad. Having lived a long and full life as he did makes the pain less somewhat but the finality is nonetheless tough on the emotions. Your Dad was a terrific man. We have many memories – over the decades – of your Dad’s laughter and his sunny disposition – not only in Wawa but also at your cabin on Michipicoten and in Florida (remember the camper van trip??!!). So many great memories.
Please know that there are many of us sharing in your grief – you don’t have to shoulder it all alone.
Sending you much love,
Sherrie Berdusco (along with my husband, Chris Blackwell, and my kids: Spencer, Darby, Ally and Carson)
BEST CAMPER VAN TRIP EVER! Thank you Sherrie….so many lovely Berdusco/Morrison/Spreng memories over the years. Our Dads were two of a kind. I have no doubt they are already laughing it up together on the other side.
Sincere condolences to all the family. He was a local treasure and he will be missed.
Jude and Don
Not vey often in the course of one’s life do you meet and get to know a man of the stature and character of John Morrison . John was literally one of those people who seemed larger than life . He loved life , his family and Wawa . Most of all he dearly loved Rotary and the service to others opportunities that Rotary gave him. John was a Rotarian’s Rotarian in every sense of the word and the Rotary world was well served by his efforts . Well done thou good and faithful servant ! To his family , may God hold you in the palm of His hand and comfort you in this your of need . John F. Salan Rotary PDG 2009-10
Thank you Sherrie. Our visits and travels with the Berduscos greatly enriched our lives and provided us with some excellent memories over the years. Thank you for the reminder. Your thoughts and comments are much appreciated. Bless you xxoo Kaireen
Thank you John for your kind words. John Morrison was never happier than when working on a Rotary project or doing something that would benefit the world, particularly when it came to Polio eradication. It was an amazingly satisfying pursuit for both of us, achieved through Rotary, for which we have been grateful. He realized his limitations but worked wonders within those limits. We’ll miss him dearly. xx Kaireen and family.
For our family of three boys John was the God of northern adventure. He knew where the fish were, of course he planted them in those lakes. Adventures to Stranded Lake, Dodds Lake and more. And also the overseer of the mouth of the mighty Michipicoten from the Morrison cottage. For all of us the highlight of each visit to Wawa was the gathering of the extended Morrison family at the cottage with John and Kaireen quietly observing the subsequent generations practicing their Morrison-ness and getting to know their cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents. Definitely a pillar of the community over the years, John was probably the great ever ambassador for Wawa .
Thanks Hector. You said it! Those were the highlights of John’s life to host and enjoy the family gatherings plus show the younger ones the area where he and his cousins grew up. xx Kaireen
Kaireen
I just read about John’s passing a few minutes ago. So sorry. A part of my youth went with him. Started off together when I moved across the street from him in 1943at the age of 5. Snaring rabbits, fishing and a couple of other things I won’t mention went on for a few memorable years. Always my contact when I went “back home.”
I’ll try and post a couple of photos.
Best of everything in the fure
Kaireen
We are so sorry to learn of John’s passing.
We have wonderful memories of meeting him, when Evan and Andrea were married.
Our sincere condolences to you and your family.