WESTFIELD: Michael J. “Champ” Morris, 81, of this city, died Tuesday, September 23, 2014 at home. He was born in Westfield on May 7, 1933 to the late Michael and Lillian (Killips) Morris. He was a life-long resident of Westfield, a 1952 graduate of Westfield High School, and a proud member of the 1949 Peanut Bowl championship team. Upon graduation, he enlisted in the Navy with his cousins Jack “Jackson” Killips and Vernon “Skip” White and later attended Michigan State University on a football scholarship.
He was the co-owner of Westfield Fuel with his life-long business partner and friend, Bill “Cookie” Cook retiring in 1996. During that time he also built and remodeled a number of rental properties along with his friend Joe Murray. He was a member of the Sons of Erin. Above all, he was the patriarch and “go to” man of a large and loving family.
He was predeceased by his wife of 55 years, Ann “Pinky” Morris. He leaves his children Lynn Morris of Westfield, Amy Morris-Milsom and her husband Michael Milsom of Beverly Farms, MA, Patricia Bouvier of Hudson, MA, Timothy Morris and Gina Lapponese of Agawam, and James and his wife Gail Morris of Clayton, CA. He also leaves his sister Mary Parody of Westfield, his sister-in-law Mary and Robert Platenik of Fayetteville, NY, and sister-in-law Sherry McGowan of Florida. He leaves 11 grandchildren, Kathryn, Timothy, Claire, Daniel, Jacqueline, Matthew, Sarah, Hannah, Ann, Jake and Kate; and 5 great grandchildren Tyler, Joseph, Noah, Michael and Bennett.
The funeral will be held on Saturday, September 27, 2014 at the Firtion-Adams Funeral Home, 76 Broad Street, Westfield, at 9:30 am followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 10:30 am in St. Mary’s Church. Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery. Calling hours will be held on Friday at the funeral Home from 5-8 pm. Donations in memory of Michael may be made to Down Syndrome Resource Group of Western Mass, 1 Carando Drive, Suite 2, Springfield MA 01104. Firtionadams.com
