Martin Frances (“Mugsy”) Morris died peacefully with family by his side in Falmouth on January 30, 2011 at the age of 77.
Mugsy was born Martin Frances Morris at Cape Cod Hospital in Hyannis August 5, 1933, to Harold and Annie (Folsom) Morris.
After attending Sacred Heart School, Mugsy entered the Marines in October of 1950. He served his country during the Korean war. Mugsy was discharged from the Marine Corps in October 1953.
Mugsy came to Martha’s Vineyard and raised a family of four children with his wife, Betty. Mugsy earned his living, like so many Islanders, by fishing the sea for swordfish, cod, scallops, and most anything. He became employed and subsequently retired from the Edgartown Highway Department. He then began employment with the Steamship Authority at both the Vineyard Haven and Oak Bluffs terminals.
Mugsy enjoyed traveling and his trips included Las Vegas, New Orleans, Mexico, and Ireland. You could often find Mugsy playing cribbage on weekends, or sometimes taking off on a fantastic road trip with Teeterbug and the gang.
Mugsy decided to make the move across the pond to Falmouth in December 1998. He continued employment with the Steamship Authority, in security. Married twice, Mugsy opted for bachelorhood in his retirement years. He enjoyed his memberships at the Elks Club and Amvets Post of Falmouth.
Mugsy was a life member of the VFW and was active in Post 9261 in Oak Bluffs for many years. He will be fondly remembered for his wit and his way with words that couldn’t help but bring a smile and a chuckle. He enjoyed swapping stories with friends, military friends, and fishing buddies, and he will be dearly missed.
Mugsy was predeceased by his two brothers, Paul and Harold Morris. He is survived by his children, Jeanne Alwardt and her husband, Herman, of Raymond, N.H., Paula Bliss and Joseph Triskett of Falmouth, Kitty Victoria of Round Rock, Tex., and Raymond Morris and wife Jennifer of Omaha, Neb. He is also survived by his grandchildren Bryan Alwardt and his wife, Kim, Joy Gallant and her husband, DJ, Amy Alwardt Gaddi and her husband, Joe, Dane Bliss and his wife, Jennifer, Emily Bliss, Nicolas Victoria, Krystofer Victoria, Allison Morris, and Andrea Morris. He also leaves several great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will be held at 2 pm on Friday, Feb. 4, at Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home, 475 Main St., Falmouth Center. Burial will follow at the V. A. National Cemetery of Massachusetts in Bourne. For online guest book and directions, go to ccgfuneralhome.com.
