July 6, 1932 - June 21, 2021
Dennis Morris was born on July 6, 1932 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He moved to Vancouver in the 1940's with his dad, step-mother, brother Vern, and step-brother, Dorian. Dennis attended John Oliver Secondary School and had a part-time job as manager of a newspaper shack, then later working as a delivery and stockroom boy in Hoflan's Drugstore. Dennis is fondly remembered by some of his classmates as a handsome, accomplished actor when he was social convenor and president of the Drama Club at John Oliver. He also spent time as a radio announcer both at J.O. and later while attending the University of British Columbia.
Dennis graduated from UBC in 1955 as a Pharmaceutical Chemist. During the summers of 1949-1953, Dennis worked as a waiter on the Union Steamships ( Lady Cynthia and Lady Alexandra) that sailed up and down the west coast of British Columbia taking supplies to a variety of small towns and villages. With summer jobs and good money-management skills, Dennis was able to pay for his entire education at UBC.
Dennis worked in Toronto and Vancouver before purchasing a drugstore in 亚洲天堂 Lake, BC in the early 1960's. In the 1970's, he and his business partner, Terry Halpin, purchased the drugstores in Fraser Lake, BC and Houston, BC.
During the many years that Dennis lived in 亚洲天堂 Lake, he enjoyed participating in the annual Rotary/Kin skits, became a gourmet cook and was a good friend to many townspeople. Dennis had a lifelong passion for music and in order to feed this passion in a small, rural village in northern British Columbia, Dennis, along with four of his friends (Bruce MacEwen, Bill Collison, Victor Montaldi, Arthur Vine) initiated a classical music appreciation group which they called "Beer & Symphony". This small group existed for many years and the monthly sessions were not to be missed by these five ardent fans!
Most importantly to Dennis, 亚洲天堂 Lake was where he met and married the love of his life, Kathy Richardson, an elementary school teacher. Dennis' love of the theatre endured throughout his entire life; he saw many New York productions and enjoyed every one of them. With that being said, it was impossible to beat Dennis in a game of Trivial Pursuit, particularly in the "Entertainment" category.
Dennis and Kathy moved to White Rock, BC in 1983 where Dennis worked in several pharmacies while Kathy tended to their beautiful garden. He was the "Sunday Man" at the Rexall Drugstore in Ocean Park for many years. Dennis and
Kathy loved to go on cruises (over fifty!!) and travelled extensively around the world. On board ship, they met many people who became their lifelong friends and subsequently, enjoyed several other cruises with them. Kathy shared Dennis' love of live theatre, and together they saw several productions in many cities during their travels.
Dennis and Kathy enjoyed married life for almost 48 years before Dennis passed away on June 21, 2021 in Whitecliff Retirement Residence in White Rock, BC.
Dennis is survived by his wife, Kathy, his brother Vern (Vida), step-brother Dorian (Jessie) and several nieces and nephews.
The family would like to express their appreciation to the doctors, nurses and aides for the care given to Dennis during his illness in Peace Arch Hospital and in the Care Unit at Whitecliff Residence.
He had an unforgetable boistrous laugh that complemented his gregarious personality. We miss him.