Jon R. Morse Obituary
Jon R. Morse, 83, passed away courageously at his home on Wednesday, May 14, 2025. Born on March 16, 1942, in Syracuse, NY, he was the son of Jack & Marion Morse and the brother of Judy McGregor. Jon attended West Genesee Central High School in NY and was a center on the football team. He was a man in full: full of life, full of service, full of love for his country, community and family.
Jon's commitment to service began early in his life. He graduated in 1965 from Norwich University. Following college, he would serve as an Intelligence and Armor Officer from 1967 to 1974 with assignments in Vietnam, Korea, Germany (where his son Michael was born), and Fort Knox, Kentucky (where his son Chris "Cam" was born). Jon was honorably discharged from the military with the rank of Captain and his decorations include the Bronze Star and the Meritorious Service Medals.
Jon met the love of his life Carol Vrachos the summer of 1963 on Good Harbor Beach. They were married on May 28, 1966, at the Assumption of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church in Ipswich, MA. This Memorial Day would have been their 59th anniversary. Jon taught Mike to sail on their Cape Dory named Haven and he greatly enjoyed catching baseballs after work with Cam. Their family was a 30-year season ticket holder to the Patriots. The late-night drives back to Cape Ann following so many great victories were memories they all hold dear.
Jon earned his master's degree in accounting and taxation from Bentley University and became a CPA in 1978. After working for several accounting firms in Boston he started his business on Pleasant Street in Gloucester in 1981. He helped more than 350 families, individuals, and small businesses for nearly 4 decades. Jon was President of the Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce in 2000. He was an Active Rotarian, serving as Treasurer and was named a Paul Harris Fellow in 2006. He loved to support small businesses and events all around our city. He could be found at George's for breakfast, Yellow Sub for lunch, and the Holy Cow for one of their delicious chocolate milkshakes. And he annually flipped a mean pancake at the Rotarians breakfast at Stage Fort.
As Jon found more time to have fun he developed a love for golf and joined Bass Rocks Golf Club in 2004. He and Carol would enjoy the days on the course, followed by lunch and cocktails on the deck taking in the beautiful views. The two of them built a wonderful winter life in Naples, Florida. They would golf, swim in their pool, enjoy great company and meals with friends, and appreciate the relaxed beauty that comes with success. Jon was a voracious reader. He loved books of history, the NY Times, The Economist, and pretty much everything. There wasn't a sudoku puzzle he could not outmatch or a crossword puzzle that could stump him. His four grandchildren; Zachary, Sarah, Lilly, and Wesley were the joys of his life and the 4th of July parade parties were the pinnacle of his year.
Jon Morse was as courageous as they came. His enduring respect for the value of hard work, unwavering family love, and commitment to community will be his legacy above all.
Special thanks to his care givers including those at Addison Gilbert Hospital Cancer Care, Aberdeen Home Care, and Care Dimensions for the love they provided him. We are so grateful.
Visiting hours will be held on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, from 4 to 7 p.m. in the Greely Funeral Home, 212 Washington Street, Gloucester. A service will be held at Assumption of the Virgin Mary Church in Ipswich on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at 11 a.m. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend.
In lieu of flowers please kindly make donations in the form of checks to the Cape Ann Veteran's Services at 12 Emerson Avenue, Gloucester, MA 01930 or Gorton's Center for Cancer Care at Addison Gilbert Hospital, 298 Washington Street, 4th Floor, Gloucester, MA 01930.
