PLATTSBURGH – Morris C. Towne died, with his wife by his side, at CVPH on July 21, 2022 at the age of 85, from a cardiac condition.

Morris was born to "Joyce" Woolcutt Towne and William Towne in Morrisville, Vermont.

Throughout his boyhood, he spent weekends and summers at his grandparents' farm in Elmore, VT.   Basketball found him in sixth grade and he quickly developed excellence as a player.  Morris attended Peoples Academy, leading the team to state championships.  He continued to play basketball at Springfield College, MA, where he had a stellar career and was named Small College All-American in 1960.  Mo earned his BS in Health, Physical Education and Recreation in 1961. His graduate work and additional studies led to Advanced Certification as Director of Athletics.  Mo's career at Saranac Central School from 1961 through 1991 included HPER Teacher, Coach of various sports, most notably varsity basketball, and Athletic Director.

It was at SCS where Morris met the "prettiest girl I'd ever seen" and love of his life, School Dental Hygienist Brenda Keazer.  The couple married in 1963 and had three daughters. Coach Towne made many treasured friendships with his Saranac co-workers and Booster Club families, as well as lifelong bonds with numerous former players and students.  Big Mo, dubbed the Peaceful Pilot, was revered by many as one of the most storied Section VII high school basketball coaches of the 1970s.

Morris was, by his own estimation, a shy person who did not seek the limelight, yet was often propelled into it through his love of playing and coaching basketball.  Over his entire life, he was a man who was happiest spending time at home with family.  Young Morrie had cherished his grandparents and loved spending summers at the farm.  It was there that he developed his love of the land and many of his remarkable skills of resourcefulness, perseverance, baking and singing.  As a young man, he loved his native Vermont where he acquired his quiet strength and determination.  Once married, and as the only man in the family, he was the number one driver, repairman, baker, paddler and the one to be counted on for all the Heavy Lifting of life.  Saint MoMo was a go-with-the-flow guy who was always up for anything, including dancing in the kitchen or trips to another continent.  He rarely raised his voice and when things did occasionally go sideways, he would never complain but, if asked his thoughts, his comment would be "Well, there is no way to feel but frustrated."   To his adoring daughters, Morris Towne will always be "Our Super Hero."

Morris pursued many interests throughout his life and developed a huge range of abilities.  He spent much time in the woods as a hunter and fisherman and was a skilled woodsman.  He was a longtime member of ADK and led many outings.  Mo was actively involved in two different golf leagues and was an avid tennis player for many years.  He had been a beekeeper and a maker of maple syrup.  His signature cherry pie and renditions of "Take Me Home Country Roads" are legendary in the family.  He built a log cabin structure, almost solely with his axe,  from cedar logs cut on his own property.  For a man who was not a big talker, Morris was a keen observer and gifted writer with an ear for the vernacular.  His campfire stories were always the most mysterious, with dialogue that sparkled.  Morris learned to ski on his honeymoon, to please Brenda, and similarly later took up sailing.  He became adept at both; skiing at Whiteface into his 81st year and sailing Lake Champlain for over 35 years.

Big Mo was a recognizable presence in the Saranac and Plattsburgh areas, often seen out watching local sporting events with either a Celtics or a Bosox ball cap on his curly hair, and regularly someone, maybe one of his thousands of former students, would approach him, looking up, to say "Hi Mr. Towne."  Coach usually said sheepishly, "You look familiar but you'll have to tell me your name."   A lifelong jogger, his pace slowed over the years but his commitment to fitness didn't wane.  Sneakers and dumbbells were never far out of his reach, whether at home or traveling.  Recently, in managing his medical condition, any recommendations from his cardiac team were met with immediate compliance and, in fact, he usually doubled the reps.  His personal motto was "no shortcuts."

Morris is survived by his wife, daughters, Lisa Towne, Susan (Steve) Welch, Molly Towne (Scott O'Connell), granddaughter, Carolyn Williams, siblings, Richard (Charleen) Towne and Joyce (Richard) Pashby, sisters-in-law, Lorraine Keazer, Donna Keazer and  Rosemary (Gerard) Riendeau, and many cherished nieces and nephews.  Per his wishes, there will be no formal services; however, the family will hold a small outdoor gathering at a later date.  Remembrances in his name may be made to a special fund established by the family to provide needed athletic shoes for kids through the Saranac Booster Club, Attn:  Mary LaDuke/Dylan Everleth, P.O. Box 102, Saranac, NY 12981

To share a photo, story or condolence with the family, by visiting www.rwwalkerfh.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted into the care of the R.W. Walker Funeral Home 69 Court Street, Plattsburgh, NY.