Education stalwart dies
Well-known retired Hawke's Bay school teacher Jock Morris, who was awarded the MBE for his service to education, died on Saturday, aged 88.
Still described by many in his profession as a teaching "legend," despite retiring more than 27 years ago, Mr Morris was the founding principal of Taradale Intermediate when it opened in 1967.
He was in the position over 19 years up to his retirement in August 1986, soon after his service was acknowledged in that year's Queen's Birthday Honours.
He was also the last chairman of the Hawke's Bay Education Board before it was swept out of existence in wide-reaching educational reform. A teachers representative for about six years before his retirement from teaching, he continued to serve post-retirement as a parents' representative for the urban Napier ward. His contribution in the Taradale area was recognised with a Paul Harris Fellowship from the Taradale Rotary Club, of which he was president in 1971-72, and several decades involved with sport included chairing junior rugby boards in Napier, and helping establish the Bay View Bowling Club, of which he was patron.
Survived by wife and fellow teacher Daphne, his life will be commemorated by hundreds of family, former work colleagues, ex-pupils and others at a service today at the Napier Sailing Club, starting at 2pm.
