Frederick Morris
Frederick Richard Morris, FRCS (C) Hon. Col. (Ret.)
Fred peacefully left this world in the presence of his family and surrounded by their love on January 28th, 2017. Fred was born in Eston, SK on December 5, 1930. He graduated from St. Peter's College in Muenster, SK, completed his Bachelor of Arts at the University of Saskatchewan and his Medical Degree in 1957 from the University of Manitoba. On completion of his Residency in General Surgery in Toronto in 1964, he returned to Moose Jaw where he practiced until 2007. In 2000 he attended the Flight Surgeon’s Course and continued his work as a Civilian Flight Surgeon at Canadian Armed Forces 15 Wing, Moose Jaw. He was honoured to serve as an Honorary Colonel, #2 CFFTS (Canadian Forces Flying Training School) at 15 Wing Moose Jaw from 2006 to 2011. He filled the role of mentor to countless young people considering a career in medicine, and to those pilots starting their career in the military at the 15 Wing NATO Flight Training School, whether they were from Canada or from one of the other NATO training program partners. Fred served almost 50 years as a practicing physician and took an active role in his profession. He was a member of the College of Physicians and Surgeons (Ontario), the Saskatchewan Medical Association, and the College of Physicians and Surgeons (Sask.) where he also served as President for two terms. He served on a variety of committees including the Anesthetic and Post-Operative Death Committee, Discipline Committee and Medical Benevolent Committee. He served 15 years as Chief of Surgery for both the Moose Jaw Union Hospital and Providence Hospital, and chaired the Credential Committee at the Moose Jaw Union Hospital. He served on the boards of Providence Place, where he was recently appointed a Life Member, and on the Board of the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency. He was the team doctor for the Central Collegiate Football team for 7 years, attending all of their games and organizing medical coverage for other league games. To this day former players refer to him as "Doc" when they meet. Fred was raised on a farm and had a great love for the land. He operated a grain farm north of Moose Jaw until his son Jim took over the role. Fred loved to lend a helping hand and advice whenever he could. He had a love of flying and had his private pilot's license and flew his own plane for a number of years. His time at 15 Wing was especially meaningful for him because of his love for the military and its history, and also for anything that had wings. He was able to spend several hours in the Hawk and Harvard aircrafts. A particular highlight was accompanying the Snowbirds on one of their trips to the Air Show in Abbotsford. No matter what he was doing, he always had eyes to the sky. Fred was predeceased by his parents, Fred and Emily (Thue), his brother Bruce, infant daughter Emily, brother-in-law Bruce Macdiarmid, and Roberta, the mother of his children. He is survived by Joan, his wife of 32 years and children: Margaret (Ken) Yamamoto, Tom, David, Pat (Barb), Roberta (Tom) Gallagher, Mike (Sandra), Jim (Michelle), Mary (Jack) Clark, Sheila, John (Heather); stepchildren Justin Wasylyk, Jeff Wasylyk (Robyn) and Jennifer Wasylyk; and 32 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. He is also survived by a sister Bernice (Ray) Kloschinsky and sister-in-law, Gail Macdiarmid. Services will be held at Church of Our Lady on Wednesday, February 1, 2017 at 1:30PM. Father Joaquin Ibay will officiate. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Moose Jaw Military Family Resource Center Moose Jaw, P. O. Box 500, Moose Jaw, SK S6H 7Z8 or Wounded Warriors Canada http://woundedwarriors.ca/home, which provides support programs for military members and their families.
For once you have tasted flight
you will walk the earth
with your eyes turned skywards,
for there you have been and there
you will long to return,
- Leonardo da Vinci
In living memory of Fred, a memorial planting will be made by W. J. Jones & Son Funeral Home. Please sign the memorial register at website: www.wjjonesandson.com (Obituaries).
Dayna Chamberlain - Funeral Director