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Morse was born in Baltimore on Dec. 31, 1922, the only child of Ethel Luisa Dannenberg and Edmond Harris Morse. He was awarded a full scholarship to Brown University, where he matriculated in 1940.
As World War II was intensifying, Morse completed his studies at Brown quickly and graduated with honors in economics in early 1943, after which he immediately enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. His active duty included serving as a Marine Scout and Platoon Leader in the 24th Regiment of the 4th Marine Division during the Battle of Iwo Jima in the South Pacific, which suffered nearly 100 percent casualties.
Upon his return from World War II, Morse joined the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston and after a brief stint entered the Harvard Business School, graduating in 1947.
Just before joining the Marine Corps, he met his wife-to-be, Sidney Harvey Phillips. They were married in Baltimore on June 5, 1948, and settled in New York City, where Morse had already begun a career in financial research and capital management at Smith Barney. In 1951, the Morses moved to Darien to raise their family.
Morse was promoted rapidly and rose to become an executive vice president and director for many years. After his career at Smith Barney, he joined First Manhattan Co. as an executive vice president for an additional decade before retiring.
During his retirement, Morse served on Darien's Board of Finance and Pension Board. He was also a founder of the Bank of Darien and the Connecticut Investment Group as well as an active member of the Lockwood-Matthews Mansion Museum. Along with his family, he enjoyed the Tokeneke and Wee Burn Country Clubs as well as spending summers at his family's cottage on Chebeague Island, Maine. He also loved Peru, Vt., where he and his wife oversaw the renovation of several 19th-century country houses.
His wife, Sidney, died only months before him after a 66-year marriage. He is survived by his five children Edmond H. (Barbara), David F. (Elaine), Judith B., Anne S. (Scott), and John B; grandchildren Edmond R., Christopher B., and Benjamin S.; and great-granddaughter, Emerson A.
Funeral services will be held in the chapel of Saint Luke's Episcopal Church in Darien at 2 p.m. Friday, May 1. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to the McDonogh School, 8600 McDonogh Road, Owings Mills, MD 21117.
Arrangements are being handled by Edward Lawrence Funeral Home in Darien.
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