PORTLAND – Mike Morrison, 81, of 320 Palmer Ave., died Tuesday, Aug. 19, at the Cedars Skilled Care Center, from complications due to a stroke. Present at the time of his death were those closest to him in life, his wife of 50 years, Mary, and his three children.

He was born June 2, 1927, in Rumford, the son Michael and Ella MacDougall Morrison. At a very young age, he moved with his family back to the Morrison family farm in Grand River, Prince Edward Island, Canada. At the age of 20, he returned to the place of his birth finding employment with the Oxford Paper Co.

In 1950, he joined the U.S. Army and served our country during the Korean War. After his honorable discharge, he returned to Rumford and his job with Oxford Paper. Mike was a member of both the American Legion and the VFW posts in Rumford. During this time, he also served as a volunteer with the Rumford Fire Department.

He worked for more than 40 years at first the Oxford, then Boise Cascade Paper Mill in Rumford. While employed with Oxford, he met Mary Blunda, and they were married on Sept. 6, 1958.

Upon retirement, he and Mary moved to Portland to be close to their children and grandchildren. When able, he enjoyed volunteering at the Preble Street Center in Portland.

He was an avid reader and a loyal Red Sox and Bruins fan. He greatly enjoyed the Sox winning the World Series after a lifetime of frustrations and asked that he “be buried with a Red Sox cap on.”

He always planned his summer vacation so that he could take his family back to his beloved family farm in Grand River, Prince Edward Island. His passion throughout his life was traditional Acadian fiddle music.

What made his life complete and his greatest source of pride was his family. He and his wife of 50 years, Mary had three children, Susan, Janet and Kevin. They formed a close-knit family and he supported their activities with his presence, time and energy. This same level of demonstrated love and involvement in their lives was extended to his grandchildren. He could always be seen at one of their sporting events cheering them on.

He is survived by his wife, Mary; his daughters, Susan Carpenter of Falmouth and Janet Colucci of Portland; his son, Kevin Morrison of Windham; his five beloved grandchildren, Taylor and Nick Colucci of Portland, Phoebe Morrison of South Portland and Catherine and John Carpenter of Falmouth; in-laws, Ralph Carpenter, Steve Colucci and Kathy Morrison; brothers, Ormie and Brad Morrison of Toronto, Ontario, and Jerry Morrison of Grand River, PEI; two sisters, Lois Woods of Roxbury, Mass., and Peggy Arsenault of Charlottetown, PEI.

He was predeceased by four brothers, Joseph, Vernon, Lennie and Roddie; and his beloved sister, Noreen.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff at Cedars for their love, compassion, support and friendship.