Fisherman and parking lot owner Donald L. Morris Sr. of Provincetown died on June 6, 2024 at Cape Cod Hospital in Hyannis. He was 90.
Born on Oct. 19, 1933 the son of the late Margaret E. (Williams) and John V. Morris, Donald was a lifelong Provincetown resident. He learned to fish when he was young and became a particularly good bass fisherman.
After graduating from Provincetown High School in 1950, he served with the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean War, stationed at Camp Lejune, N.C.
After his discharge, he returned to Provincetown and worked on several scallop and fishing boats. “I fished with Donald for two years,” wrote Anthony Avallone Jr. in an online tribute. “He was our cook and deck hand. Could lay out a meal that would make you miss your next watch. An icon of Provincetown, for sure.”
After buying a piece of property in town, Donald became one of the first to open a paid parking lot in the early 1970s. He loved working at the lot, Central Parking, where he could be found singing while directing cars to their spots. “That parking lot was his life,” his daughter Donna said.
A loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Donald is survived by his children, Marion Joseph, Donna Morris, and Donald Morris Jr., all of Provincetown; his grandchildren, Sherry and Caitlin Hog of Barnstable, Erica Perry and partner Nick Hazen of Rockland, and Tanya Swaby and husband Jason of Brewster; and four great-grandchildren. His brother, Leland Morris of Middletown, N.J., also survives him.
He was predeceased by his wife, Rose Marie Morris, brothers Creighton Morris of Harwich and John Morris of Yarmouth, and sister Ernestine Michaels of Provincetown.
Family and friends are invited to a visiting hour from 10 to 11 a.m. on Tuesday, June 18 at St. Peter the Apostle Church, 11 Prince St., Provincetown. A Funeral Mass will follow, and burial, with military honors, will be in St. Peter’s Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Donald’s memory to the Provincetown Rescue Squad, 25 Shank Painter Rd., Provincetown 02657.
For online condolences, visit nickersonfunerals.com.
