ROCKLAND — On Thursday, December 11, 2025, Stephen Delbert Morrison, 93, passed away peacefully, attended by loved ones.

Stephen was born in Rumford, Maine to Delbert Joseph Morrison and Elizabeth McKenzie Morrison. He grew up in their home in Strathglass Park in Rumford and graduated from Stephens High School in 1950. The notation under his high school graduation picture described him as, “A picker up of unconsidered trifles.” Little did they know at the time that this capability would lead to an amazing life.

In 1951 Stephen married his high school sweetheart, Johanna Gurschick. She was the heart and soul of his life throughout their 72 years of marriage. Shortly after they wed, they moved together to Rochester, New York where he was studying at Rochester Institute of Technology. In 1952 Stephen graduated with an associate’s degree in photography and began his employment as a photographer at the University of New Hampshire.

The birth of their second child required more living space than their apartment afforded, so Stephen decided he would teach himself carpentry skills. The result was their new home in Durham, New Hampshire, which he built with assistance from Johanna and her father.

In 1959, when a photography studio was advertised for sale in Rockland, Maine, he purchased the business and moved his family to the home where they would live for over six decades.

In 1963, Stephen decided that he would learn to fly and obtained his pilot’s license. He purchased his first plane, a single seat Luscombe, and subsequently upgraded airplanes owning several Cessna aircraft and completing numerous cross-country trips.

During the late 60s Stephen and Johanna purchased three buildings along Main Street in Rockland. One became the location of their photography studio, and their travel agency, Morrison Travel. The buildings also included commercial and residential rental units. Stephen accepted the opportunity/challenge by learning the operation and maintenance of commercial heating systems as well as general building repair and maintenance.

From a very early age Stephen spent summers in Weld, Maine. As an adult, he enjoyed making memories with his children and grandchildren in Weld, where he eventually purchased a summer cottage on Webb Lake.

Stephen and Johanna retired in 1987 and spent much of their retirement traveling, visiting friends and family, and motor-homing. Along the way he developed skills in the maintenance of RV systems. Together he and Johanna traveled all over the world visiting all fifty states and six continents.

He was an avid reader, gifted and self-taught organist, skillful sailor, and delighted in sharing his love of comedic movies with his children and grandchildren. He’ll be remembered for his unconditional love of and ability to connect with animals. He helped an injured crow recover and trained it to do tricks. As a young adult, he adopted ducks who would squawk and run to him when they spotted him walking down the sidewalk home after work. Later in life he took pleasure feeding squirrels, chipmunks, and seagulls by hand. Although he was allergic to dogs and cats for most of his life, it didn’t stop him from loving them! So, it was a wonderful development in his late 70s when he found out he had grown out of his allergies and could happily spend hours playing with family members’ dogs and cats.

Stephen was a past president of the Rotary Club in Rockland and long-time member of the Masonic Lodge of Freemasonry.

Stephen was predeceased by his wife, Johanna.

He is survived by their children, Johanna Elizabeth Herrick (David) of Mont Vernon, New Hampshire, Virginia Bartlett (Lawrence) of Bath, Maine, Christine Ross (David) of Cumberland, Maine, Stephen Morrison II (Deborah) of Rockland, Maine, and their AFS daughter Cheryl Garland of Feilding, New Zealand.

In addition to his children, Stephen is survived by eleven grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

He will be buried alongside Johanna and his grandson Karl Herrick in the Mountain View Cemetery in Weld, Maine.

Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland. To share a memory or condolence with the Morrison family, please visit their Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.