Morris Alfred Wilson

Morris Alfred Wilson, age 92, passed away peacefully on May 23, 2022. Morris was born on May 27, 1929 and grew up on a farm in the rural town of Mound City, Missouri. He was the youngest child of five born to Chauncey and Bertha Wilson. He could often be seen walking to his uncle’s farm holding his faithful dog, Shep’s tail. He attended Northwest Missouri State, and received his graduate degree from the University of Arkansas. As a sports enthusiast at NWMS, Morris played football and was on the track team–two sports which would figure prominently in his life. After graduating with a teaching degree, and ready for an adventure, he headed north on the advice of his best friend Bill Sherman, to the promising state of Michigan. No stranger to the state, he had worked in Battle Creek’s cereal factory-but now was ready to teach. He landed in Roseville, Michigan where he had an enriching career of teaching, coaching, (boys’ football and track, girls’ basketball and track) and being the district’s athletic director. As he began his career that spanned 42 years, he met and married the love of his life Rita Durinzi, also a new teacher lured to Michigan from Pennsylvania. In Roseville, they raised three children (Rosanne, Michael, and Polly). In addition to his busy life in the school district and as a doting father, Morris was a dedicated Rotarian, and helped begin, locally, a new sports movement- Special Olympics. He was an excellent bridge player, being part of a duplicate bridge group and everyone’s favorite sub in Rita’s ladies’ bridge clubs. With his male friends, he was an avid poker player—-and could be counted on to give his children extra spending money from “the stash”! Once retired, he and Rita traveled with friends around Europe and the US., creating not only great memories, but also blurry, off- center photos he proudly showed anyone unfortunate enough to ask! For several years after he retired, and Rita was still teaching, he became a master bread maker (often giving loaves as gifts) and vacuum cleaner (the house was spotless). He was happiest being “Papa Mo” to his eight grandchildren and delighted in their activities. Morris is best known for his twinkling blue eyes and quick smile. Although he was a quiet man with a soft voice, he had an uncanny sense of wit and comic flair. Quite often while people were talking, Morris would interject with a zinger and clearly steal the comic show. He is survived by his wife Rita, his three children, Rosanne (Dennis), Michael (Maeve), and Polly (John), his eight grandchildren, Ben, Robert, Andrew, Anthony, George, Emma, Charlie, and Jack. In lieu of flowers consider donating to the Sparky Fund (helping those needing assistance with their pets) or the Roseville High School Athletic Fund.