Donald Keith Morrison

1:00AM, August 21 st , Donald K. Morrison passed away peacefully, comfortably. Son of Louise G. Harris and Donald E. Morrison, born on Sliced Bread Day, y’know the day the world was made a better place as he was proud to say - July 7, 1943.

He learned how to expertly 45 degree fold the corners on his bed while at Valley Forge Military Academy, he learned how to cook while at Penn State, earning his RDA and Master’s degree, making the best mashed potatoes and Manhattan clam chowder in the world. He loved his alma mater, proudly displaying the nittany lion logo on as many polo shirts as possible.

He was a lifetime supporter and avid “Penn Stater” football fan. His greatest joys in life were his children, his love of fire departments and being a Volunteer Fireman. He had stories galore and many tales of heroic escapades serving as Volunteer Chief in both Liverpool, NY and Long Reach Station #9, Columbia, MD.

He loved reading the papers and if ever the Sunday paper forgot his coupons, man, oh, man, Not! A good idea. His most recent love since he moved from Andover, NJ was shopping the Easton Amish Market for his favorite Pennsylvania Dutch food, visiting Eli, Rose’s and all the ladies in the bakery.

He was described as a character, a comedian, somewhat of a prankster who enjoyed causing shenanigans and upright hooliganism, cantankerous, incredibly stubborn, and a gigantic pain in his daughter’s bum but without all those great characteristics, he would not have been able to withstand stage 4 cancer, a bum hip, congenital heart disease, and years of intense pain that finally subsided after COVID attacked his lungs. He didn’t go easy, he fought and fought and fought the bravest battle. Never a quitter and never a burden to his daughter, she got COVID herself while helping his fight. She wanted to stand proud together and say, “Hahaha COVID, beat ya” but knowing all his pain is gone is a better gift.

He is survived by his loving daughter Pam, son-in-law Shaun; son Donald C., daughter-in-law Michelle, grandchildren he loved through pictures, DC, DJ and SK. His awesome brother who insisted on his comfort to the very end, Doug, sister-in-law JoJo, nephews Shannon & Shane, niece Sheala and their families.

He was a good man with great flaws like us all and he was surrounded by love even though he was alone in the hospital because of COVID. He was my dad, he taught me to never give up, he said, “you’ll never regret an education,” “tis better I owe it to ya then cheat ya out of it,” “I’m getting around to it…sooner
or later,” and I loved him immensely.

“How is it that firefighters run into a burning building when everyone else is running out? Courage….and today, we’ll be as brave as you by not mourning but by celebrating your life.” John Travolta’s character in one of my Dad’s favorite movies, Ladder 49.

My Dad was a first responder and to honor him, please thank a hero or buy them a coffee and a Danish; make a donation to a Volunteer Fire Department in his name and always, always, pull over when the red & white lights are in your rear-view! You never know whose life you could save.

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