Thomas Morris

THOMAS  A.  MORRIS

Thomas Morris, age 86 of Jefferson Hills, Pennsylvania, originally from Duquesne, Pennsylvania passed away on Sunday, October 16, 2016 with family by his side.  He was born Thomas Arthur Morris on July 9, 1930, to the late Benjamin and Mabel (Schrum) Morris.  He was preceded in death by his siblings Ruby, Robert, Della, William, Audrey and Benjamin, and beloved daughter Carole Kniess.  Tom is survived by three cherished children, Susan (Kerry Browne) Ferrare of West Mifflin, Pennsylvania, Linda (Harry) Santoline of South Park, Pennsylvania and Thomas (Tammy) Morris of Eighty Four, Pennsylvania; son-in-law, Richard Kniess; four grandchildren, Ryan (Ana) Kniess, Kellie (William) Passodelis, Kristen Santoline and Khristina Morris; his longtime companion, Arlene O’Connell, and a great friend and adopted “grandson” Jason Heinlein, nieces and nephews.

As an entrepreneur and lifelong engineer, Tom ran a bike repair/rental business and raised chickens during World War II, selling eggs without ration coupons.  He enlisted in the Air Force in 1950 at the time of the Korean War, and served in Texas, England, and Germany as a Weatherman.  After being discharged, Tom enrolled in the University of Pittsburgh on the GI Bill, while working full time at United States Steel.  After graduating with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, he designed continuous casters, obtaining two patents and travelling to Japan, Italy, Germany and Brazil to install his designs.  After a thirty-four year career, he retired from US Steel in 1983.

Tom had many interests throughout his lifetime, including music, gardening, hunting, and participating in many different sports.  His garden tomatoes were truly special; he grew dozens of plants every year for himself and family and friends.  He travelled throughout the country competing in the Senior Olympics for more than twenty years, where he earned national medals in track, tennis, and badminton.  He was a member of Rails-to-Trails and loved long bike outings along the rivers. He has completely navigated the Great Allegheny Passage from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to Frostburg, Maryland.   Tom was a lifetime guitar and harmonica player and learned to play the piano at age 70.  He enjoyed leading sing-a-longs at family picnics and on holidays.

Tom was an excellent bridge player, starting to play later in life, but achieving his goal of becoming a lifetime master in 2014 with the help of longtime bridge partner Joe Bernot.   He was a member of the USABAS group for more than twenty-five years, serving as their director for eighteen.   A lifetime teacher, after retiring from directing, he started teaching bridge, passing his love of the game to younger generations.   His group of students blossomed from four ladies to more than twenty-four members, with Tom teaching weekly lessons at the Galleria in Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania.  He also started a class for school-age children, which gave him great pleasure, as he loved instructing young people.  He wanted to leave his love of the game as a legacy to younger generations.

With all of his accomplishments, Tom was most proud of his family.

The family would like to thank the staff at Family Hospice in Mt. Lebanon, with special thanks to Annie for her love and compassion. The family suggests contributions to The Montour Trail Council, 304 Hickman Street, Suite 3, Bridgeville, PA, 15017.

Friends will be received in the Stephen D. Slater Funeral Home 1701 Route 51, Jefferson Hills on Tuesday 2 – 4 and 6 – 8:30 PM, where his funeral service will be held on     Wednesday at 10 AM.  Burial with Military Honors, will follow in Mt. Vernon Cemetery in Elizabeth Township, Pennsylvania.