CUMBERLAND — Laurice Ervin Morrill, 91, of Freeport died Nov. 21, at Ledgeview Assisted Living in Cumberland after a lengthy illness.

He was born on Dec. 28, 1919 in Mason a son of Myron and Viola Morrill. As a child, he attended the one room elementary school in Mason and later graduated from Gould Academy on May 31, 1939. He held jobs at Westbrook Junior College and the South Portland Shipyard before enlisting in the Marines in 1942.

During World War II he served in the Pacific at new Caledonia. While home on leave in 1944 he married Theo Paine. Because gas was rationed at the time, his family carpooled to transport guests from Bethel to Waterford. After their wedding, Morrill returned to finish his tour while his wife remained in Freeport and just before he returned home in 1945, their first daughter, Wanda, was born.

Morrill worked at the Freeport Shoe Co. until starting his carpentry career, working for a few local carpenters and later starting his own business. He worked as a carpenter until his retirement in 1985.

His favorite activities included doing fun things with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, visiting friends and neighbors, and traveling with family members and friends. He loved to talk to anyone he met along his travels. He and his wife were very active in square dancing, serving as angels for square dance lessons, sponsoring square dances for elementary students, and starting a teen square dance club which taught many Freeport and surrounding area teens to square dance.

The activity that he enjoyed most was gardening, growing both vegetables and lots of flowers. Many area residents enjoyed the bounty from his garden as he shared his cucumbers, tomatoes and other crops.

His wife died on Sept. 3, 1994, just short of their 50th wedding anniversary. He was also predeceased by his parents Myron and Viola Morrill; brothers Dwight Morrill, Robert Morrill, and Donald Morrill.
 
He is survived by his daughters Wanda (Lloyd) Walkup of Clovis, N.M. and Brenda-Jo (Arthur) Hawkes of Falmouth; three grandchildren Laurie (Joseph) Andrews of Durham, Tony (Karen) Walkup of Clovis, N.M., and William Hawkes of Falmouth; five great-grandchildren Tyler and Kayla Andrews, Ayden Walkup, Zachary Jordan Walkup, Whitney Hanson-Walkup; and his sister Frances Clark of Cape Neddick.

The family wishes to thank David and Karen Lander and the staff of Ledgeview Assisted Living for over five years of friendship and care.

A time of gathering and visitation was held on Nov. 22 at Lindquist Funeral Home, One Mayberry Lane, Yarmouth followed by a graveside service at Burr Cemetery in Freeport. Donations may be made in Morrill’s memory to the Cape Elizabeth Church of the Nazarene, Parsonage Roof Building Fund, 6 Susan Road, Cape Elizabeth, Me 04107.

Sidebar Elements

---

Morrill