George Morris

George "Pops" Morris, age 67 of Pompton Lakes, NJ died on Wednesday, September 7, 2022. He lived in Pompton Lakes for thirty-one years and retired recently from the Caldwell – West Caldwell Schools where he had been the maintenance foreman.

George was raised in Fair Lawn by his mother Angie and his father George, along with his two sisters Julie and Nancy, who always wished for a little brother. He graduated from Fair Lawn High School, class of 1972 and "couldn't wait to get the hell out of there". He spent some time in college, and was an avid skier, travelling to Europe. After a much-needed haircut, he joined the U.S. Coast Guard, eventually being honorably discharged having achieved the rank of coxswain. He was also awarded the Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation Ribbon. George was proud of and regularly enjoyed proving that he had been ranked "expert" in both pistol and rifle during his service.

After the Coast Guard, adventures surfing in California soon led him to Wyoming where he worked as a hunting guide. Surfboards and Jersey plates, seldom seen in the wilderness of the great American West, made for some interesting interactions with locals. Rekindling his romance with his high school sweetheart, Regina "Jeanne" Sangis, he finally had reason to stay in civilization. A proposal on her birthday led to a 39-year marriage filled with its fair share of both love and trials. They built a life together surrounded by friends and family.

After starting their own family, first George and then Samantha, George and Jeanne moved to be close to family in Pompton Lakes, NJ. The next several decades were spent mostly living on soccer fields, hunting, fishing, gardening, working, cooking, spending time with loved-ones, and yelling at the TV (with Samantha), the dog, the kids... there was always lots of yelling. And singing. And whistling. While George was constantly busy, he always made time for both of his children, nieces and nephews. He often told Jeanne he was most proud of being a father. The time he spent playing soccer with Samantha and yelling at his son George to hold the flashlight still are a testament to this fact.

If you knew George, you knew he was stubborn. He loved stubbornly. He fought stubbornly. He had strong opinions about music and food and culture and history. Luckily, he had pretty good taste. He enjoyed sharing the things that he loved with the people that he loved. George will be sorely missed by all who loved him.

George is survived by his beloved wife of thirty-nine years; Regina “Jeanne” (nee Sangis) of Pompton Lakes, their two children; George Morris and his wife Catie of Pompton Lakes, and Samantha Morris and her fiancé Dave of Hoboken, two sisters; Julianne Bruno and her husband Jim of Cody, Wyoming, and Nancy Johnson and her husband Eugene of Beachwood, NJ, and his nieces and nephews who he loved; Jimmy Bruno, Laurie Steward, Karen Carew, Amy Sturgis, Dan Carew, Danielle Walsh, and their families.

For those wishing to make a donation in George’s memory, please consider donating to the National Audubon Society or the COPD Foundation.