Morris L. McPhail, 91, passed away on September 11, 2017 in Ebeid Hospice Residence. He was born to Archie and Rose (Leonard) McPhail on September 8, 1926 in Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania.

After high school graduation, Morris accepted an appointment to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in King’s Point, New York. Receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Engineering in 1947, Morris sailed for two years with Standard Oil of New Jersey. The U.S. Navy called him up in 1950 and he served on the LST 857 which participated in the famous Inchon landing, the last World War II-type amphibious operation. He served a total of two years as Engineer Officer and Executive Officer. Shortly after the ship’s return to Pearl Harbor, he married his childhood friend Janet McPhail on September 8, 1951. Soon after their wedding, the Navy sent him to Korea.

Upon completion of his stint in the Navy in 1952, Morris and Janet returned to Pennsylvania where he was employed by the Amsler – Morton Corporation in Pittsburgh as an assistant to the combustion engineer. They started their family and Morris also attended night school at the Carnegie Institute of Technology where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering in 1960. In 1966, the family moved to Toledo where Morris worked for Surface Combustion until his retirement in 1986. After his retirement, he continued his career as a self-employed consultant engineer.

Morris was an avid model builder. He built numerous museum quality railroad cars and later in life switched to radio controlled boats.

Morris is preceded in death by his parents, wife Janet and daughter Jennifer. He is survived by his son Bradford (Susan) McPhail and Pam (Don) Fry. He is also survived by four grandchildren Amanda Fry, Todd Fry, Jacob McPhail and David Lancaster.

Morris will be inurned at a later date in the Donegal Cemetery in Pennsylvania. The family would like to express their appreciation to the staff of Ebeid Hospice Residence for their compassionate care of Morris.

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