Born Aug 27, 1929, in the Bronx NY, to Joseph and Mary Blitstein, Morris enlisted in the US army during the final months of WWII. Upon leaving the service, he joined the Merchant Marines traveling the world.
After leaving the Merchant Marines he earned his degree in civil engineering on the GI bill from City College NY. Upon graduation, he joined Slattery Associates, one of NY’s premier heavy construction companies that was responsible for much of the infrastructure of NYC. He would spend his entire 37 year career at Slattery, where he would rise, first to Chief Estimator, and eventually Executive VP of Engineering before a devastating stroke at age 60 forced him into early retirement. Among his crowning career achievements was the 1969 award to construct the Bruckner Highway Interchange in the Bronx for a total of $68 million, then the largest single highway contract ever awarded by New York state.
In 1958, he married Sandra Rosenberg also of the Bronx, his wife of 62 years. They have two sons, Marc, of NY and Boca Raton, and Barry, of NYC.
Before the stroke altered the trajectory of his life, he had a wide range of interests including golfing, boating, vegetable gardening, and stamp and coin collecting.
Though paralyzed by the stroke, he remained fiercely independent for the next 20 years. Shunning a wheel chair until his mid eighties he drove his car daily often taking half day trips with his convertible to enjoy the local sights of south Florida. In his later years, though increasingly confined to a wheelchair, he would barbeque on his grill – a passion that continued until the day before his passing.
A man of few words, he will be remembered for his toughness, his unrivaled work ethic, fierce loyalty and mentorship. He was revered by colleagues, beloved by his family, friends, and neighbors.
His memory will be cherished and kept alive by his devoted wife,Sandy, two sons, brother Allen and all those that had the good fortune to call him friend or co-worker.
He will be buried in the family plot in Cedar Park Cemetery, NJ. Due to Covid-19, a zoom service will be held on Thursday, July 9, 2020. Donations in his name to Morse Life Foundation, Care Management & Counseling Program 4847 David S. Mack Drive, West Palm Beach, Fl 33417
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