Edward T. Morris

Edward Morris passed away in Bristol, Rhode Island on February 11, 2026, at the age of 97.

Edward Terrill Morris was born on June 27th, 1928, in Middletown, Connecticut. He was predeceased by his wife, Jane Edwards Morris and son, Robert Stephen Morris. While still an infant, his family moved to Eustis, Florida. After the untimely death of his mother when he was 7, he was placed in the care of his paternal grandparents in Warsaw, New York. He was educated at the George School in Newton, Pennsylvania and Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut.

Ed enjoyed a career in journalism, writing for numerous newspapers in Connecticut and later as a correspondent for United Press International’s Berlin bureau, he was fluent in German. His son was born in Germany in the summer of 1957 and his tenure in Berlin predated the building of the Berlin wall. He and his family returned to the United States and settled in Milford, Connecticut where he set to renovating several dilapidated houses and piloted his 41-foot Chris Craft, ‘Born Free’, which he berthed in Branford, Connecticut. During this time he and his family took a one year hiatus to live in England, close to his wife’s family; son Robert was enrolled at an English boarding school. His dark green, 1968 Pontiac Firebird accompanied them to England. Ed affixed a ‘USA’ sticker on it, as if the British needed a reminder.

The family had a fascination for the architecture, history and terrain of Newport, Rhode Island and relocated to the island in the early 1980s where Ed indulged his predilection for home renovation, revitalizing several properties in the city. He immersed himself in the Newport Preservation Society eventually becoming a docent at several of the mansions that were in the care of the organization. This interest prompted him to author several anecdotal history books which chronicled the Gilded Age era inception of the many mansions built on the southern end of the island as well the quirks and nuances of their inhabitants. He would often dress up in period attire at book fairs to present his books. He was devout throughout his life; in Newport as a devoted parishioner at the historic Trinity Church.

Ed was a gentle and caring man who was revered by those who knew him. Loyal to his family, immersed in politics and keenly aware of current events, he will be missed by those who knew him.

Ed is survived by his cherished niece, Ann Johnson, her sons Douglas and Colin Johnson all of Eustis, Florida, niece Mary Wilkerson also in Florida, nieces Valerie Wooding, Nia Edwards Plant and Gwenan Edwards Day, all of whom reside in Great Britain.

He will be interred at the Terrill family plot at Pine Grove Cemetery in Middletown, Connecticut.

Family and friends may share memories and condolences at www.gortonmenardfuneralhome.com