James M. Morrison

WORCESTER-James M. Morrison, M.D., 92 of Worcester died peacefully at home Fri., Sept. 21.

His wife, Dorcas (Johnson) Morrison predeceased him. He leaves five children, Catherine M. O'Brien of Troy, MI, Anne E. McCambridge of Madison, WI, Michael J. Morrison of Worcester, Mary Ellen Morrison of Portland, OR and Peter J. Morrison of Lyon, France; four grandchildren, Deirdre O'Brien, Michael O'Brien, Matthew McCambridge and Monica M. Silva; two great grandchildren, Brendan and Connor O'Brien; a niece, Marie (Morrison) Worden and a nephew, Arthur W. Morrison. A sister, Marion Miller and a brother, William J. Morrison predeceased him.

He was born in Worcester January 1, 1915 the son of William P. and Margaret R. (McDermott) Morrison and lived here most of his life. Dr. Morrison graduated from St. John's High School, The College of the Holy Cross and Saint Louis University School of Medicine. Dr. Morrison was a World War II veteran serving at the Portsmouth Naval Hospital. Dr. Morrison practiced Internal Medicine for 52 years in Worcester retiring in 2001. Dr. Morrison did his residency and was a Staff Physician at St. Vincent Hospital and was a former Senior Physician and Chief of Medicine at Fairlawn Hospital. He was a former Trustee of Fairlawn Rehabilitation Hospital, Director of Health Services at Worcester State College, Medical Director of Providence House Extended Care Center and Charter member of the American Medical Society of Alcoholism and Drug Addiction. He was also a former State Chairman of the Medical Society of Alcoholism and Drug Addiction, and former member of the Massachusetts Medical Society Impaired Physicians Committee. Dr. Morrison volunteered at the Worcester Boys and Girls Club, the Paul Hart's Free Clinic at Epworth United Methodist Church and at the Green Island Free Clinics. He was Co-Founder and Pioneer in the treatment for chronic alcoholism and drug abuse in a general hospital in the Worcester Area. In 1954, he co-founded the St. Vincent Hospital Alcoholic Clinic. In 1973, he was the winner of Man of the Year Award by the Emerald Club of Worcester. In 1976, he was the winner of the Dr. Carol Johnson Award for his work in the field of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse presented by the Worcester County Council of Alcoholism. In 1984, Worcester Sate College and Fairlawn Hospital honored him for his service to the community and also received a key to the City of Worcester. He was the founder of Faith House, a half way house for female chronic substance abusers. In 1989, he received the Good Samaritan Award from Worcester State College. In 1990, he received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from St. John's High School. In 1995, he was a Hall of Fame recipient for participating in 4 sports at St. John's High School. In 1997, he received the Senior Volunteer Physician of the Year Award from the Massachusetts medical Society.

He was a member of St. Charles Borromeo Church and served as a lector , the American Medical Association, Massachusetts Medical Society, Worcester District Medical Society, Catholic Alumni Sodality of Holy Cross College, the Emerald Club, the First Friday Club and the Greendale Retired Men's Club. He was former President of Pleasant Valley Country Club and former member of Worcester Country Club. He was also a member of the Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus

The funeral will be Wednesday, Sept. 26 from CALLAHAN & FAY BROTHERS FUNERAL HOME, 61 Myrtle St. with a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM at St. Charles Borromeo Church, 341 June St. Interment will follow in St. John's Cemetery. Visiting hours will be Tuesday, Sept. 25 from 5:00 to 8:00 PM in the Funeral Home. The Catholic Alumni Sodality of Holy Cross College will perform their ritual at 5:30 PM in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers memorial donation may be made to the American Heart Association, 20 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701 or to a charity of one's choice. For directions or online condolence book please visit www.callahanfay.com.