Southbridge: Attorney Michael J. Morrill, 95, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, June 27th.
His beloved wife of 66 years, Marie F. (Fleming) Morrill, passed away in 2019. He leaves his two sons, Michael Morrill and his wife Wyndie of Pompano Beach, FL and Sean Morrill and his wife Jane of San Diego, CA; his five daughters, Cathleen Carpentier and her husband Luke of Southbridge, Mary Ellen Blake of Southbridge, Sheila Jalbert and her longtime companion, Tony Santilli of Southbridge, Julie Candelaria and her husband Joseph of Marblehead and Moira McGrath and her husband Ian of Sturbridge; his 22 grandchildren, Michael Luke Carpentier, Jamie Rainha, Amy Sinni, Joseph Jalbert, Matthew Carpentier, Jenna DiMarco, Kerry Carpentier, Catie Vignona, Emily Brown, Elizabeth Blake, Michael Morrill, Kelly Blake, Daniel Morrill, Bridget Candelaria, Connor Morrill, Timothy Candelaria, Jack Morrill, Catherine Candelaria, Padraig McGrath, Colm McGrath, Shannon McGrath and Maeve McGrath; 23 great grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews. He was predeceased by his brother, Philip Morrill. He was born in Worcester, the son of Michael T. and Bridget A. (Sullivan) Morrill. Michael was a 1946 graduate of St. John’s High School in Worcester, received his bachelors degree in 1950 from the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester and received his law degree in 1953 from Georgetown University in Washington, DC. He was a US Navy Veteran of the Korean War serving as a LT JG in the Naval Air Intelligence Office.
Michael was a well-regarded attorney, practicing law in Southbridge from 1957 until his retirement several years ago. He was a partner in the Law Firms of Morrill & Lamarine, P.C. and later Morrill & Morrill, P.C. He also served as Council for the Town of Holland from 1958 to 1986 and Council to the Town of Brimfield for 10 years to 1986. He also served as Special Assistant Attorney General of the Commonwealth of Mass from 1960 to 1962. He was a member of the District of Columbia Bar Association, the Massachusetts Bar Association, the American Bar Association, First Southern Worcester Bar Association and the Worcester County Bar Association. He was a longtime active parishioner of St. Mary’s Parish (now St. John Paul II) serving as a former Lector and member of the Parish Council. He was a member and Past President of the Southbridge Lions Club; Past President and member of Board of Managers of Harrington Memorial Hospital; served two terms on the Hearing Committee of the Board of Bar Overseers; served two terms as member of the Executive Board of the Worcester County Bar Association; was a Corporator of the Southbridge Savings Bank; a former member and first President of the Advisory School Board of the Diocese of Worcester; a member of the Public Improvement Committee of the Town of Southbridge; a former Chairman and member of the Southbridge Representative Town Meeting Committee; he served on the Board of Directors of Catholic Charities; and incorporated the Southern Worcester County Association for Retarded Children and served as President and Director.
Michael was a recipient of the Exchange Club Book of Golden Deeds Award and a recipient of the WESO Radio Man of the Year Award. In 1985 he was the recipient of the Distinguished Attorney Award from the Worcester County Saint Thomas More Society.
Michael was a very gifted athlete and was a star baseball player and basketball player at St. John’s High School. In 2007 he was inducted into the St. John’s High School Hall of Fame along with his brother Phil. He was an avid golfer and a longtime member of Cohasse Country Club in Southbridge.
In addition to his civic involvement, Mike was an active member of the community, as well as a devoted and loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He enjoyed spending time on the shores of Cape Cod, on the dock at Big Alum Lake, and wintering in Pompano Beach, FL. He took great pleasure in skiing in the winter, golfing during the warmer months, and reading every day. Of course, no day was complete without a Canadian Club Manhattan and family to share it with.
His funeral will be held on Tuesday, July 2nd, from the Daniel T. Morrill Funeral Home, 130 Hamilton St., Southbridge, with a Mass at 11:00am in St. Mary’s Church of the St. John Paul II Parish, 263 Hamilton St., Southbridge. Burial will follow in St. John’s Cemetery, Worcester. Calling hours in the funeral home will be held on Monday, July 1st, from 4:00 to 6:00pm.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the St. John Paul II Food Pantry, 279 Hamilton St., Southbridge, MA 01550.
