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Firefighters in full dress uniform from Demarest and other towns will dismount their vehicles and walk alongside the L85 Mack pumper caisson as it approaches the Park Street firehouse for the ceremony honoring Morris, a longtime Closter resident who died Friday after a brave battle with a rare form of leukemia.
Loved ones, friends and strangers conducted bone marrow drives in recent months to help the highly respected and loved Morris realize his dream of walking his daughter down the aisle later this month.
The most recent drive was held only three weeks ago.
Morris, a former Demarest fire chief and association president who was still an active member, had what is known as AML.
The most common acute leukemia affecting adults, AML is characterized by the rapid growth of abnormal white blood cells that accumulate in the bone marrow and interfere with the production of normal blood cells (It’s still somewhat rare, accounting for a little over 1% of cancer deaths in the U.S.).
The prognosis varies, depending on the type: Five-year survival rates can vary from 15–70% and relapse rate varies from 33–78%. Chemotherapy comes first, followed by transplants.
Visiting is from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Monday, followed by a Fireman’s Service, at Barrett Funeral Home, 148 Dean Drive in Tenafly.
The funeral procession is scheduled to leave at 8:45 a.m. Tuesday and include passes by the house where Morris grew up and through the center of Demarest.
Outside Demarest Fire Headquarters will be his pickup – cleaned and waxed – with his golf clubs and fishing pole inside. Fire vehicles in the procession will be adorned in full bunting, with flowers. The bell will ring three sets of five.
The procession will end with a funeral service at George Washington Cemetery, 234 Paramus Road, Paramus.
Repast will be at the firehouse.
In lieu of flowers: John Theurer Cancer Center, 92 Second St., Hackensack 07601
TOP PHOTOS: Courtesy Chris “Doc” Denton
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