MORRISSY, E. PAUL - It is with great sadness that the family of E. Paul Morrissy announces his sudden death at the Saint John Regional Hospital on August 12, 2011 after a brief and courageous battle with cancer. Born in Newcastle, NB on May 1, 1939, Paul was the son of the late Dr. R. H. and Mary (Calder) Morrissy.
Paul is survived by Maureen, his wife of 42 years; son, Sean (Nadine) Morrissy; daughter, Kate (Paul) Sheppard, all of Fredericton; four grandchildren who were his great joy – Liam and Emma Morrissy, and Peyton and Alex Sheppard. He is also survived by a sister, Kathleen (Paul) Daigle, of Moncton; and a brother, Dick (Milena) of Burnaby, BC; and by 11 nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister, Jane Allan. Paul attended St. Thomas College in Chatham, NB and St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, NS. After a brief time at the Coady Institute (St. F.X.) he left to work in Honduras and Mexico. He received his M.A. in Anthropology from the University of the Americas in Mexico City and returned to Canada in 1968 where he began his career teaching anthropology and mentoring many students at St. Thomas University. Paul had been a Director of the Native Studies Program at STU and was a committed supporter of First Nations students at the university and in the community. He retired after 32 years from “the best job I ever had.”
He had been active over time in his community as a member of the Fredericton North Rotary, the “Y" 's Men Epsilon Club, the Chinese Cultural Association and the Multicultural Association of Fredericton. He had been a board member of the Fredericton YMCA and the NB Archaeology Society. Paul had a great zest for life, good food and wine, VW camping, his friends, his students and, above all, his family…and salt. He loved the “Y” and was a regular at Aqua-Fit class. He and Maureen travelled extensively over the years and he loved to spin tales of those adventures.
The family wishes to thank Drs. Irrinki and Hauman, of Fredericton and Drs. Carson, Campbell and Tyler, from Radiation Oncology at the Saint John Regional Hospital and the wonderful staff on Oncology there.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Chalmers Regional Hospital Foundation or St. Thomas University for Anthropology Scholarships in memory of Paul Morrissy would be appreciated.
A funeral service will be held on Friday, August 19 at 12 noon at St. Theresa’s Church in Nashwaaksis with a reception following. Online condolences may be made at www.mcadamsfh.com