FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED FUNERAL HOMES SINCE 1881
| Gerald P. Morris Sr. |
| November 21, 1930 - July 24, 2024 |
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Public Events and LocationsViewing - Wednesday, July 31, 2024, 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Wetzel and Son, RockledgeFuneral Mass - Thursday, August 1, 2024, 10:30 AM at St. Cecilia Church, Philadelphia Military Honors - Thursday, August 1, 2024, 11:15 AM at St. Cecilia Church, Philadelphia |
ContactsFuneral Home - Wetzel and Son Funeral Home - 419 Huntingdon Pike, Rockledge, PA 19046 - 215-663-8550 - Map |
| Clergy - St. Cecilia Church - 535 Rhawn Street, Philadelphia, PA 19111 - 215-725-1240 - Map |
| Family Florist - Sally’s Flowers - 7950 Oxford Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19111 - 215-722-4500 - Map |
| Donation - Tunnels to Towers Foundation - 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, NY 10306 - 718-987-1931 - Map |
Gerald P. "Jerry" Morris Sr. of Rockledge, Pennsylvania passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 24, 2024 at his home. He was 93 years old. Jerry was born November 21, 1930 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, son of Philip Morris and Elizabeth Morris (nee - Fitzgerald). He is the beloved husband of Grace (Kelley) Morris and father of Jerry and Robin (Hofstetter) Morris, Jim and Kathy (Tuscano) Morris, John Morris and Lisa Roy, Robert and Michele (Rullo) Morris, Joe Morris and Dina Yannich, Marie (Morris) and Roy Andresen, Vince and Beth (Ryan) Morris, Phil and Paula (Scarpello) Morris, Tom and Adriana (Kedra) Morris and the late Mike Morris. Jerry is the grandfather of 20 and the great-grandfather of 14 with two more on the way. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews who adored him.
Jerry was born, raised, and educated in the Port Richmond section of Philadelphia. He attended Nativity BVM Parish and school and graduated from Northeast Catholic High School. Jerry was an accomplished multi-sport athlete, even being scouted by the Philadelphia Phillies.
Jerry met the “love of his life” Grace on Cedar Street in Philadelphia, where they both lived. One day, Grace’s older brother John brought Jerry home so his “little sister” Grace could teach Jerry how to dance. Grace fell in love on the spot, but Jerry played hard to get and reportedly told John “She’ll be nice when she grows up.” Well, Grace grew up and the two were married in August of 1953 at Nativity BVM Church.
Jerry and Grace enjoyed a love story that spanned over eight decades long. After marriage and while Jerry was completing his military service, they began to raise a family in the Kensington area of Philadelphia. With seven children in tow, in 1964 they moved to their home in Rockledge, where they continued to raise their family and host numerous family events. Jerry and Grace were virtually inseparable.
Jerry was dedicated to his family and supported them with two full-time jobs: one as a postal worker and the other as an entertainer. He was an accomplished accordion player and singer with an encyclopedic recall of music and lyrics. He lit every room with his voice and entertainment skills. spreading laughter and happiness. His life-long friends, The Music Pals, were his faithful fans for decades. Jerry performed for many years at the Dutch Inn and the Cannstatter Club in Northeast Philadelphia and at innumerable weddings and parties. He continued to perform well into his seventies as a favorite entertainer at senior citizen lunches.
Jerry served four years in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War on the USS Valley Forge and the USS Antietam. As an adult, he fulfilled his love of aviation and earned his pilot’s license to fly single engine planes. He even attempted skydiving, successfully.
Jerry had many talents that he loved to share including painting, crosswords and cryptograms and considered himself to be a master of telling Dad jokes.
Relatives and friends were invited to his viewing on Wednesday, July 31, 2024 from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. at Wetzel and Son Funeral Home, 419 Huntingdon Pike, Rockledge, PA 19046. Relatives and friends were also invited to his Funeral Mass on Thursday, August 1, 2024 at 10:30 A.M. at St. Cecilia Church, 535 Rhawn Street, Philadelphia, PA 19111. Navy Honors followed Mass on Thursday in the church parking lot. Interment was private.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to Tunnels to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, NY 10306.
Family flowers arranged by Sally’s Flowers 215-722-4500.
www.wetzelandson.com
Jerry was born, raised, and educated in the Port Richmond section of Philadelphia. He attended Nativity BVM Parish and school and graduated from Northeast Catholic High School. Jerry was an accomplished multi-sport athlete, even being scouted by the Philadelphia Phillies.
Jerry met the “love of his life” Grace on Cedar Street in Philadelphia, where they both lived. One day, Grace’s older brother John brought Jerry home so his “little sister” Grace could teach Jerry how to dance. Grace fell in love on the spot, but Jerry played hard to get and reportedly told John “She’ll be nice when she grows up.” Well, Grace grew up and the two were married in August of 1953 at Nativity BVM Church.
Jerry and Grace enjoyed a love story that spanned over eight decades long. After marriage and while Jerry was completing his military service, they began to raise a family in the Kensington area of Philadelphia. With seven children in tow, in 1964 they moved to their home in Rockledge, where they continued to raise their family and host numerous family events. Jerry and Grace were virtually inseparable.
Jerry was dedicated to his family and supported them with two full-time jobs: one as a postal worker and the other as an entertainer. He was an accomplished accordion player and singer with an encyclopedic recall of music and lyrics. He lit every room with his voice and entertainment skills. spreading laughter and happiness. His life-long friends, The Music Pals, were his faithful fans for decades. Jerry performed for many years at the Dutch Inn and the Cannstatter Club in Northeast Philadelphia and at innumerable weddings and parties. He continued to perform well into his seventies as a favorite entertainer at senior citizen lunches.
Jerry served four years in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War on the USS Valley Forge and the USS Antietam. As an adult, he fulfilled his love of aviation and earned his pilot’s license to fly single engine planes. He even attempted skydiving, successfully.
Jerry had many talents that he loved to share including painting, crosswords and cryptograms and considered himself to be a master of telling Dad jokes.
Relatives and friends were invited to his viewing on Wednesday, July 31, 2024 from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. at Wetzel and Son Funeral Home, 419 Huntingdon Pike, Rockledge, PA 19046. Relatives and friends were also invited to his Funeral Mass on Thursday, August 1, 2024 at 10:30 A.M. at St. Cecilia Church, 535 Rhawn Street, Philadelphia, PA 19111. Navy Honors followed Mass on Thursday in the church parking lot. Interment was private.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to Tunnels to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, NY 10306.
Family flowers arranged by Sally’s Flowers 215-722-4500.
www.wetzelandson.com
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