AUBURN – Roger L. Morris, 81, of Leeds, died peacefully with his brother Mac at his side Dec. 22, at Hospice House of Androscoggin, where he had been a patient for one day.

He was born in Leeds, on Aug. 31, 1927, the son of George G. and Irma (Alden) Morris. He attended Leeds schools including V.A. Dean High School. On July 15, 1950, he married Anna Zingo. They resided in Winthrop and Wayne for many years, before moving to their new home in Leeds in 1991.

He was self-employed in the wood business all of his adult life, cutting wood and transporting wood for himself and others to the IP Mill in Jay. He was always a gardener from his childhood and enjoyed raising vegetables for Anna to can and to give vegetables to their friends and neighbors. He was very meticulous about his landscaping, making sure that his lawn was well manicured.

He had the same work ethic inside the home as well. Anna would tell of his vacuum cleaner at 4 a.m. to get a head start on his daily duties. The windows always sparkled, as they were given his undivided attention. Although he and Anna never had children, they had cats. The cats were his kids. They were very well cared for having a steady diet of jumbo shrimp. He leaves Jennie and Mindy behind.

He enjoyed his relatives, friends and neighbors and was always willing to lend a helping hand when needed, but his Mom was his idol. He adored her and visited her everyday after his retirement. Her death was a great loss to him; and just 10 weeks later he lost the love of his life, his wife of more than 50 years, Anna. She died Feb. 9, 2003.

He is survived by his brother, Malcolm “Mac” Morris and his wife, Nancy, of Livermore Falls and Venice, Fla.; sisters-in-law, Carol Roberts and her husband, Larry, of Winthrop, Vicky Moody and her husband, Charles, and Joanne Bickford and her husband, Ralph, of Leesburg, Fla., and Sheila Morris and Jean Morris of Turner; also nephews, nieces and cousins. He also leaves a special friend, Ginny Starbird, who was always making sure he had several meals in the refrigerator whenever he needed them.

He was predeceased by his parents; his wife, Anna; his brothers, Glenn, Marshall and Wayne Morris; and his nephew, Chuck Greeley.