Leon A. Morse, Sr.

Hancock – Leon A. Morse, Sr., 81, passed away on Saturday, November 2, 2013, at the Hillcrest Commons Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Pittsfield, MA.
Born in Bennington, VT, Leon was the son of the late Wayne and Ethel Montgomery Morse. He was raised in Bennington where he received his education. He later served his country proudly in the U.S. Army from the time of his enlistment in 1952 until his honorable discharge in 1961. Leon owned and operated Leon’s Shell Service in both North Lebanon, NY, and Stephentown, NY, and Hancock Auto Repair in Hancock, MA. He retired in 1992, as a truck driver, from Henry V. Rabouin, Inc. Trucking Company in Hancock.
Leon enjoyed the times spent with family and friends, restoring antique cars and fishing. He was a motorcycle enthusiast and avid wood worker.
Leon is survived by his beloved wife, Barbara L. Cure Morse, to whom he was married on June 16, 1960, in Rutland, VT. He was the loving father of Kelly L. Morse and wife Maggie Brown Morse of Hancock, Tracy Jo and husband Martin Rogers of Pittsfield, Whitney L. Morse-Koffi and Emile Koffi of Pittsfield, Leon A. Morse, Jr. and wife Julie of Berlin, NY, Wade Morse and wife Niki of Hancock and Joanne George of Bennington. He was the brother of Eleanor Harvey of Shaftsbury, VT, and the late Doris Babson, Marjorie Bond, Kennen, Wayne, Ted and Marie Morse. He is also survived by 23 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren as well as several nieces and nephews.
A funeral service for Leon was held on Tuesday, November 5, at 11 am in the Hall & Higgins Funeral Home, 457 NY Route 43, Stephentown. Interment followed, with military honors, in Hancock Cemetery. Friends were invited and visited with Leon’s family on Monday, November 4, from 4 to 7 pm at the funeral home. For those wishing to remember Leon in a special way, his family asks that donations be made to the Hillcrest Commons Nursing Home, 169 Valentine Road, Pittsfield, MA, 01201, in his memory.