Joseph 'Joe' Morris Jr., Lewes Harbour icon
Joseph “Joe” H. Morris Jr. passed away on the evening of Monday, May 2, 2016 at his home in Lewes, after a battle with cancer in the care of family. Joe was 58 years old.
Joe was born in Coatesville, Pa., April 6, 1958. He was the first of two children of Joseph H. Morris and Terre M. Morris. Joe's love of fishing didn't take long to surface, and he quickly was prowling the shores of nearby waterways in the company of friends or relatives. These exploits continued after Joe was older and could venture out in boats. One such trip resulted in running out of fuel on Delaware Bay after a day of chasing tiderunner seatrout, so he and his cousin spent the night catching big black drum, to return dockside the next morning in triumph.
After graduating from Dickinson College with an undergraduate degree in economics, Joe's passions for writing and speaking quickly showed as he wrote for many publications and, in particular, was a staple for the Mid Atlantic edition of The Fisherman Magazine. His seminars, articles and fishing reports have been widely read and utilized by uncounted anglers. He earned his captain's license and although he didn't run charters Joe spent quite a bit of time in pursuit of one of his favorite gamefish, the striped bass.
Joe particularly loved fishing in Florida with friends and his wife Amanda, and they enjoyed many, many days fishing out of their home in Cudjoe Key. Joe was always very proud of Amanda's exploits and would often send friends pictures of her displaying her catches.
Operating and growing Lewes Harbour Bait and Tackle shop with his wife Amanda, Joe became an icon to anglers from all over and hero to many. Joe was constantly prepared to help the most inexperienced or experienced angler of any age. He was always ready with a smile or lending a hand, and would go out of his way to stay open late or come to the shop early to help customers and friends. Joe handled his last battle as he lived each day of his life with courage, humor and determination, and left all of us with the goal that we handle our lives as he did, with honesty and goodness, a smile and honor.
Joe is survived by wife of 25 years, Amanda Reid Morris; parents, Joseph and Terre Morris; a sister, Heather M. Wright and her husband Craig; a niece, Arden; father and mother-in-law, Landis and Barbara Reid; two sisters-in-law, Beth McEwing and her husband Jim; and Hope Reid and her companion Gary Rudy; a brother-in-law, Dennis L. Reid and his wife, Lisa Carnes; three nieces; one nephew; and countless "brothers" and "sisters" who were proud to be his friend.
Donations may be sent to Delaware Hospice Center, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE, 19963 or www.delawarehospice.org.
A Celebration of Life service will be held from 4 to 7 p.m., Sunday, May 22, at Irish Eyes Restaurant, 213 Anglers Road, Lewes.
A special thanks to the Delaware Hospice Center for all of their help, grace and expertise.
Please visit Joe’s Life Memorial Webpage to sign his online guestbook and to determine the date and time of the services at www.parsellfuneralhomes.com.
