Rev. John J. Morris Obituary (1931 - 2020)

Father John J. Morris, 89, of Virginia Beach, VA passed away on April 19, 2020 of natural causes. He was born in Roseland, NJ on March 5, 1931 to John and Dorothy Morris. Father John was a graduate of Montclair State University Class of 1952 and Seton Hall University 1956 for Seminary Studies and ordained as a Priest on May 29, 1960. Father John served his country in the United States Navy as a RC Chaplain for nearly 14 years. He served as a priest at Our Lady of the Lake in Verona, NJ for more than 27 years and his last posting was as the Chaplain at NSA Northwest Annex Chapel in Chesapeake, VA. He was a resident of Marian Manor in Virginia Beach where he continued serving as chaplain for the last three years. When Father John was unable to say Mass for a short while, many of his incredible parishioners held Mass in his place. Father John had thoughts about how this would not satisfy the requirement of a proper mass. They said, some rules can be broken, and we all get an opportunity to speak with God about the rules of the church, get back to me if he provides a different answer! Then the laugh, smile and sigh. He was uniquely qualified to be a great Son, Brother and Uncle but no one more qualified to represent Godliness and promote the Lord's Word. He is survived by a niece, Darcie Loraine Mager; three nephews, Ronald William Dressel, David Joseph Dressel and Dennis Patrick Dressel; along with nine grand nieces and nephews. Father John was predeceased by his sister, Dorothea Therese Dressel. Private interment services were held at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in East Hanover, NJ. A memorial Mass will be offered at a later date. Condolences may be left at proutfuneralhome.com. Memorial donations may be made to the Marian Manor Resident Council Employee Fund, Attn: Desiree Mitchell, 5345 Marian Lane, Virginia Beach, VA 23462.