FALMOUTH — Morris Emery Schmoll passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Nov. 3, in Falmouth. Morris enjoyed his model trains, bird-watching, traveling, camping and boating and will be remembered for his twinkling blue eyes and wonderful sense of humor.

He was born Dec. 31, 1922, in Camden, N.J., to William C. Schmoll and Marget Olsen. One of five children, he spent his childhood in Woodbury Heights, N.J., and graduated from Woodbury High School. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Naval Reserve, receiving an honorable service discharge in 1943, as an apprentice seaman. He then served as an apprentice machinist at the New York Shipbuilding Corporation in Camden.

When the war ended, Morris began his career as an educator devoting the next 50 years to serving children as a teacher, principal, superintendent and, after retirement, as a volunteer mentor for troubled youths. He received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the New Jersey State Teachers College in Glassboro. In 1946, he met the love of his life, Ruth Wentzell, at a skating rink in Glassboro. Ruth jokes that he had passed her over once, but came around later when her new hairdo caught his eye. Morris and Ruth were married on April 17, 1948.

Twenty years and two children later they were able to indulge their love of the mountains and outdoor recreation and moved to Ludlow, Vt. From 1968 to 1977, Morris was superintendent of schools for the Rutland Windsor Supervisory Union, a district of five elementary and two high schools. Morris’ family embraced their new life in the mountains of Vermont. Son, Derek became an avid snowmobiler and daughter, Laura a devoted skier.

Morris retired in 1984, after serving the last seven years of his career as a junior high supervisor in Atlantic City, N.J. He was a firm believer in community service and over the years was a Shriner, Rotarian, Kiwanian and active church member. In retirement, Morris and Ruth were volunteer campground hosts for the U.S. Forest Service in Florida and Alaska. They traveled in an RV for three years before building a home in the Ocala National Forest in Florida, where they lived for 15 years. There, Morris was a substitute school teacher and became involved with a youth detention ministry program.

He and Ruth also traveled extensively to Europe, Hawaii, Mexico and on numerous elder hostel tours. In his later years, Morris became a model train hobbyist and received the Golden Spike Award from the National Model Railroad Association. He and Ruth lived for several years near their daughter in Grand Junction, Colo., and moved to Portland in 2006, to be near their son and Morris’ beloved Atlantic Ocean.

He is survived by his wife, Ruth; sisters, Ruth (George) Moore of Marmora, N.J., and Doris (Richard) Alexander of Stuart, Fla.; brother, Charles (Betty Lou) of Bothell, Wash.; son, Derek (Claire) of Lisbon; daughter, Laura Carlson-Palo (Bryce) of Grand Junction, Colo.; grandsons, Zachary Schmoll (Margaret) of Lisbon and Nevin and Anders Carlson of Grand Junction; and one great-grandson, Keegan Schmoll of Lisbon.

Morris was predeceased by his parents; and sister, Grace Noddin.

Morris’ family would like to thank the staff at Falmouth House at Ocean View for the excellent care they provided.