Obituary of Lawrence B. Morris, Jr.

Lawrence B. Morris, Jr., a 50 year resident of Darien, CT, corporate lawyer, investment banker, and community activist died March 22nd from lung cancer and renal failure. He was 88. Mr. Morris was a member of the New York law firm of White & Case for 22 years, the last 13 as a Partner, until his resignation in 1969. As a lawyer, Mr. Morris’ areas of expertise were securities regulation, corporate finance, and mergers & acquisitions. His legacy at the firm is expressed through those whom he recruited, and manage the firm today. He was on a number of committees for the New York Bar Association: Securities Regulation; the Executive Committee on Banking, Corporation, and Business Law; and the Committee on the Recruitment of Young Lawyers. He lectured for the Practicing Law Institute, and the American Bar Association. In 1969, Mr. Morris was named Senior Vice President at Dean Witter, and tapped four months later as President. He resigned in 1971 citing “philosophical differences” between himself and members of the Witter family over his attempt to move the firm’s executive headquarters to New York from San Francisco. He joined Wertheim & Company as a General Partner in 1971 and remained there for two years. In 1974 he returned to the practice of law and became a Partner at Patterson, Belknap, Webb & Tyler until his retirement. Mr. Morris was a director of Pandick Press, Dictaphone Corporation, the American Stock Exchange and several small industrial companies. He was also a member of the Newcomen Society of North America. After retirement from Wall Street, he began what his family affectionately describes as his “second career” as a community activist and environmentalist in his hometown of Darien, CT. He and his wife Betty Ann were named couple of the year in 1992 to honor their dedicated service to the community including his participation to the Downtown Improvement Task Force. In the 1980’s, he became increasingly concerned at the disappearance of the remaining open-space in Darien. He was elected President of the Darien Land Trust and is best remembered for his effective fund raising and land acquisition campaigns. In 2004 he was named the first Emeritus Trustee of the organization in tribute of his many years of accomplishment. Mr. Morris was a long-time trustee of the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club of New York. He was an active alumnus of Princeton University, and was a member of the University’s Graduate Council. Mr. Morris was born in Junction City, Kansas, and was raised in Pelham Manor, New York. His father was legal counsel for the Radio Corporation of America. Mr. Morris graduated from the Taft School in 1936, and Princeton University in 1940. There he was a member of the University’s Cottage Club. He earned his law degree from Harvard Law School in 1948. During World War II, he served in the US Army Signal Corps rising from the rank of Private to Major. He served in North Africa, Sicily, and Italy and was then sent to the Philippines in advance of the presumed invasion of Japan. He was decorated with the Legion of Merit, Italian Cross of Military Valor, and the Polish Silver Cross of Merit. In Milan, Italy. He received the surrender of four German Generals at German Army Headquarters. He volunteered for a bombing mission in which his plane was severely damaged. Mr. Morris engendered enormous loyalty among his friends. He was a leader who demanded much from himself and much from others. He was described by New York Times journalist, Terry Robards in 1971, as being “known on Wall Street as an independent thinker and a forceful manager, at times taking positions that were at odds with conventional thinking”. Mr. Morris often said, there were many that were smarter but no one would ever outwork him. Nicknamed “the Bugle”, his competitive spirit and audible style were renowned whether in business, on the golf course, or the stands at Palmer Stadium watching his beloved Princeton football team. Mr. Morris was a member of the Wee Burn Country Club and was a former board member. He is survived by his wife of 60 years Betty Ann, his three children Larry Morris of Boxford, MA, Michele Carballude of New York City, and Anne Keyser of Cambridge, MA and six grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at the Noroton (CT) Presbyterian Church, 2011 Post Road, Darien on Wednesday, April 12th at 11am. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that contributions be made to the Quebec-Labrador Foundation, 55 South Main Street, Ipswich, MA 01938. Funeral Home: Edward Lawrence Funeral Home 2119 Post Road Darien, CT USA 06820 Visitation: Edward Lawrence Funeral Home 2119 Post Road Darien, CT USA 06820