Harold C. Morse ’50

BELFAST — Harold C. Morse, 95, passed away at Waldo County General Hospital in Belfast. Born on January 28, 1928 on the Howard Road in Belmont, he was the second child of Clarence and Viola Morse. His siblings included Clarence Morse, Jr. (deceased), Bertha (Morse) Hardison, Norman Morse (deceased), Lester Morse, and James Morse (deceased).

Harold attended Greer Corner School in Belmont for grades K-8, then Crosby High School for grades 9-12, graduating in the Class of 1947. He was a member of the Class of 1950 at Maine Maritime Academy.

Hal worked for the next five years for Texas Oil Company, working as a merchant marine engineer on the U.S. Wisconsin and the U.S. California.

On July 1, 1955, he married Judith Roberts of Belfast. Judy predeceased him in December of 2019.

In 1955, Harold joined the U.S. Navy and was stationed in California, New Jersey, Virginia, Massachusetts, and Illinois. He retired as a Lieutenant Commander after 22 years, serving as an officer on the US Lenawee/APA 195, the US Pawcatuck/AO 108, and the US Galveston/CLG3. Shore stations included teaching at Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Military Training Officer at Great Lakes Naval Training Center in Great Lakes, Illinois, teaching firefighting and damage control courses, and at Naval and Marine Reserve Training Center in Springfield, Massachusetts.

After retirement, the family returned to Belfast where Harold worked in refrigeration and maintenance for Penobscot Frozen Foods from 1972-2005. He and Judy also maintained and managed a blueberry farm in Belmont for 40+ years. In addition, during the 1970’s, they owned and operated the local Montgomery Ward franchise store for many years.

Hal has resided at Tall Pines Assisted Living for the last few years where he enjoyed playing cards and companionship with the other residents.

Hal and Judy had five children: Gregory Allan (Julie), Pamela Ann Young (Robert) (deceased), Laura Susan (Jeff) Miller, Jeffery Paul (Carla), and Daniel Joseph (deceased); 9 grandchildren, Aaron Palmer Morse, Justin Charles Morse, Jessica Serena Click, Amanda Nicole Ekizian, Jacob Daniel Morse, Brian Jeffrey Miller, Kevin James Miller, Daniel Cedar Miller, and David Mathew Miller.

He is also the great-grandfather of 11: Tighe, Keira & Declan Morse, Claire Morse, Daniel Young, Theodore (Teddy) & Madison (Madi) Miller, Joyce Mays, Layla Ekizian, Aspen & Clay Miller.

A Celebration of Life for Hal and Judy will be announced.