MORRIS, ELLICE EUGENE "GENE" 82, Mill Cove Nursing Home, Mill Cove, passed away October 23, 2003 at Oromocto Public Hospital, Oromocto, New Brunswick. Born in Magundy, York County, New Brunswick, in 1921, Gene was the son of the late Oscar and Mary Jeanette (Crewdson) Morris. Gene was passionate about his work and his play in equal parts. From his youth he was taught by his parents the arts of farming and music, the two key threads that were woven throughout his life from beginning to end. Raised on a mixed farm, which included dairy cattle, cream and butter production, Eugene learned the taste of good dairy products and the commitment necessary to successfully operate a farm and business. His first full time employment was with Harvey Creamery Ltd. in the butter department. Gene always related fond memories of Harvey Creamery, which is where he got better acquainted with the gal who would become his bride, Madeline. They married in 1943. He also fondly recalled his clandestine trips to the basement of the creamery to sample the rich orange pineapple ice cream mix. Gene graduated from the Ontario Agricultural College dairy school in 1944 with top honors, winning nine of the ten awards offered for achievement and merit, and ranking first in a class of 67 students in his graduating year. Upon completion of his studies, he became buttermaker at the Hampstead branch plant of Harvey Creamery Ltd. In 1947 the Hampstead plant was purchased by producers in the area and set up as the Hampstead Co-operative Ltd., and Eugene was named manager. It was during these years in Hampstead that sons Bill and Gary were born to the delight of their proud parents. As a result of the development of Camp Gagetown, the plant closed in 1953 and Eugene began a new career with the New Brunswick Department of Agriculture as a dairy fieldman in Sussex. It was during their years in Sussex that daughter Cheryl arrived. These years were some of the happiest in Gene's life and he often recalled them with fond stories and accounts. In 1970 Eugene was appointed to the New Brunswick Dairy Products Commission and in 1971 was appointed SecretaryAdministrator of the Commission. He held this position until his retirement from government service in 1985. Eugene was very active in a number of industry organizations. He was Secretary-Treasurer of the New Brunswick-Prince Edward Island Ice Cream Manufacturers Association from 1967 to 1971, President of the New Brunswick Buttermakers' Association in 1949 and Secretary of this Association from 1958 to 1971. He served as Secretary of the New Brunswick Cheese Marketing Board. A director of the International Milk Control Agencies from 1972 to 1985, he further served as its president in 1982. He was also a director of The Canadian Council of the International Dairy Federation. Eugene was the 1986 recipient of the Agriculture Association of New Brunswick-James Robb Award, as recognition by his peers in the agricultural community, of his exemplary contribution to the industry. With his knowledge, skill and dedication to the dairy industry, Gene played a prominent role in the advancement of the dairy industry provincially, nationally and internationally. Gene was inducted to the New Brunswick Dairy Hall of Fame in 1989. Music was Gene's other passion. First taught by his music teacher and church organist mother, the Morris home was filled with the sounds of music from his father's fiddle and the talents of three sisters who sang and played instruments. At the age of 12, his father introduced Gene, to the fiddle. His sister Helen gave Gene his first guitar and he soon began playing for house parties and variety concerts. During his years in Hampstead Gene formed the well-known dance band, the "River Valley Boys" with his friends Ken Harrison and Art Merritt. Together they played many of the finer events and venues from Gagetown to Westfield. The Morris sons joined their father on stage at an early age and all performed at country and community fairs, as well as on the original Capital Co-op Jamboree. Gene always cited the development and direction of the Sussex Town and Country Orchestra, a group of 36 musicians, singers and dancers, as one of his greatest musical challenges and accomplishments. He was also involved with the St. Paul's Boys String Orchestra of Sussex. Later while living and working in Fredericton, Gene become a member of the Fredericton Bluegrass and Old Time Music Association, the Maritimes Fiddlers Association, the River Valley Fiddlers and was leader of a country combo, "The Lamplighters". Gene received the first "Don Messer Memorial Award " in 1984. Gene was a founding member, regular performer and leader of the Valley Jamboree, currently in its 17th year. He released two professional recordings of his music, "Gene Morris" and "Five Favorite Fiddlers". He is the only two-time inductee to the New Brunswick Music Hall of Fame, once for his solo work and once as part of the River Valley Boys. The strains of Gene's fine fiddle playing will be sadly missed. His parents Oscar and Mary Jeanette (Crewdson) Morris, wife, Madeline (MacKay) Morris, sisters Mabel (Morris) Jamieson, Helen Morris and baby sister Marion Geneva who died in infancy, predeceased him. He is survived by his sister Pauline Henry, Harvey; sons Bill (Carla), Dartmouth, Gary, Sussex and daughter Cheryl (Dwayne Gravelle), Ottawa. Also surviving are nieces Gloria (Jamieson) Mitchell, Selma Alabama, Gwen (Henry) Ralston, Woodstock, cousin, Robert Wilson, Nackawic, friend and companion Ruth Powell, Sussex, sister in law, Betty (Norman) McKenna, Saint John, Mavis (Edward) Estabrooks (Toronto) and goddaughter Rebecca (Vance) Lord, California. He will be missed and remembered as "Grampie", "Rankie", "Bop" and "Pappy" by ten grandchildren, Troy Morris (Halifax), Trent Morris (Toronto), Blain Morris (Halifax), Cory Morris (Dartmouth), Matthew Morris (Fredericton), Amey Morris (Bathurst), Jennifer Morris (Sackville) and Erin Morris (Fredericton), Megan Gravelle (Ottawa) and Laura Gravelle (Ottawa) as well as by eight great grandchildren. Arrangements have been entrusted to McAdam's Select Community Funeral Home, 160 York Street, Fredericton. Visitation will be Saturday October 25, 7-9 pm, and Sunday 2-4 and 7-9 pm. The funeral service will be held at the First Congregational Church, 870 Grandame Avenue, Fredericton, Monday, October 27, 2003 at 2:00pm. Reverend Dr. Bradley Little officiating. Interment will be at a later date. For those who wish, memorial tributes may be made to the Canadian Diabetes Society. On-line condolences to the family at www.mcadamsfh.com