Harold Morris has lived most of his 89 years in downtown Jersey City. In that time, he boxed semi-professionally, fought forest fires, and saw combat in the Pacific. What he is most proud of is serving his church and the people around him.
"I live my life by two rules," said Morris last week. "Love God with all your heart and treat others as you would want to be treated. I hope I follow those rules in my work."
And there is a lot of work. Currently, Morris serves as Senior Warden at Church of the Incarnation and has also been the Junior Warden and served for 18 years as superintendent of Sunday school. On June 23, Morris received the David Paul Hegg II Annual Lifetime Achievement Award from the Episcopal Diocese of Newark Commission on Aging.
‘Howard is an outstanding member of the Church," said Father Isaac Persod, pastor of the Church of the Incarnation on Storms Street. "He has had a significant impact on the congregation and has been a great role model to the youth of our church."
Persod emphasized Morris’ sense of stewardship in the church community, noting Howard is renowned in the congregation for sending out as many as 13 birthday cards a month to fellow worshipers.
"He also sends them out to people who are sick or having an anniversary," Persod stated. "It doesn’t matter if there’s no address. Howard will find it."
Morris was born in New York City in 1915 and soon after, his family relocated across the river to Jersey City. Growing up in the Greenville section of Jersey City was an education for Morris in getting along with people in a close community.
"Everybody raised us back then," said Morris of his youth. "An adult would see you doing something wrong, you got yelled at or hit. And when you got home to your parents, the same thing happened again."
The idea that every member of a neighborhood watching out for everyone else is something Morris believes is lacking in today ‘s society.
"Kids just don’t have that today, which is not good," Morris said.
Morris admitted to bending the rules slightly when he was young, which led to a brief stint as boxer in 1928.
"I was supposed to be going to night high school here in Jersey City," explained Morris. "Instead, I would sneak over to New York and boxing in the amateur league."
Boxing was fun while it lasted, but it eventually came to an end.
"My father found out about what I was doing," Morris added. "He was not happy at all."
Morris had to work for his family during the Depression and eventually graduated from Dickinson High School in 1934. From there, Morris found work in the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC).
"I fought forest fires in Idaho," Morris said, with obvious pride. "We were stationed at St. Joseph’s River where I worked on the fire patrol."
In the early 1930s, the only equipment firefighters had to battle blazes were picks, axes and shovels, according to Morris. The situation was further complicated by people starting fires to benefit themselves economically.
"You got paid a dollar a day to fight fires," Morris said. "Some people saw the opportunity to make money and we would have to put the fires out they started."
Morris worked for the CCC for six months and did not come away inspired.
"I did not really like it," Morris stated .
Okinawa
From 1942 to 1945, Morris was stationed in the Pacific, serving in the 369th Antiaircraft Division in the Gilbert Islands and Okinawa. Morris’ unit protected water distillation operations and he experienced bombing raids by the Japanese on a few occasions.
"One time, we had to guard Japanese soldiers who had been taken prisoner," Morris said. "They looked like they were going to try an escape. I told them ‘If you run, I will shoot you.’ They didn’t try anything."
Morris reserves most of his enthusiasm for the civic work he has done with his church, starting as a lay minister in 1949. One of his roles has been as a sometime preacher.
"When I did preach, which was during the Lenten and Advent seasons, I stuck mostly to the 23rd Psalm as the basis for everything I said," Morris explained. "I try to say love your neighbors, which is a very hard thing to do."
Morris has also coached basketball, football and softball with the church and in local leagues.
"Sports gives get a center and keeps them off the streets," said Morris, adding that he thinks children focus best when they are participating in sports.
Morris is still active with his church, also serving as the church’s assistant treasurer.
"A lady here in the apartments is always teasing me," Morris noted. "She keeps telling me every time I go out, I’m headed to church. Well, I’m not going to church all the time."