Morris took his last breath before departing this life on 4th May, 2011 while he was at a specialised home, the Grange, at Ottleys Village, St. Kitts.
The service, held in celebration of his 76-year existence on this earth, took place at the Bethesda Moravian Church, Cayon with a many attending to pay their last sympathies to Morris’ family and loved ones.
Persons in attendance included: Prime Minister Denzil L. Douglas, Senior Minister Timothy Harris, Speaker of the House Curtis Martin, Deputy Prime Minister Sam Condor and his wife Eugenie ‘Gene’ Condor and Dwight Cozier of the Nevis Island Administration (NIA).
Also in attendance were: St. Kitts and Nevis’ first Prime Minister, Dr. the Right Honourable Sir Kennedy Simmonds, Leader of the People’s Action Movement (PAM) Lindsay Grant and Deputy Leaders of the PAM, Eugene Hamilton and Shawn Richards.
Several paid tribute including the Bethesda Senior Choir, the Cayon High School and Eugene Hamilton, constituency representative for Constituency No. 8, with a musical selection being rendered by Jamoy Tyson.
In eulogising Mr. Morris, Tapley Seaton CVO, QC said he brought the words of John Quincy Adams to life.
“John Quincy Adams wrote, ‘If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, become more, you are a leader.’ Sydney Earl Vincent Morris did all this and more and was indeed a leader.”
He indicated that Mr. Morris sought in every way he could, to provide a positive influence not only for his children and immediate family, but also for those with whom he came into contact.
Seaton Q.C. described Morris as a prolific writer, a great leader and a family man who has passion for the advancement of youths and by extension, his country and one who served his country with distinction.
PAM leader, Grant, in speaking with MiyVue.com following the ceremony, said Morris would most be remembered as a “true educator” both to students of the federation and to students abroad.
“First of all, I came to pay my last sympathies to the family. I think Sydney Earl Morris has been an eminent son of the soil and I think the turnout here today at the funeral is a testimony to his good nature, his kindness and his commitment and his dedication and so on as a true public servant to this country over his years.I must say that Sydney Morris has been known as a true educator, not only as a teacher here and overseas, but also he paid sterling service as minister of education, and so today’s ceremony if fitting for a man who has contributed much to this country.
“When we look at his major contributions to education in this country, we have to definitely look his involvement in terms of infrastructure, the development of the schools, the school feeding programme, the Self Programme; all those are integral aspects of his vision for education in this country.One also has to understand that during his tenure, we were ranked very highly in education in the Caribbean, both in terms of our curriculum and in terms of the development of students. We have to look in terms of his commitment and contribution towards University students going off to UWI, his role, very early in the 1980s was integral for many students to have gained university education from the University of the West Indies. So, throughout the span, his contribution has been significant.”
The sermon was presented by Reverend Nasel Ephraim and following the service, the hearse which contained Morris’ casket was led to St. Mary’s Cemetery by contingents from the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force, the St. Kitts Nevis Defence Force and the St. Kitts Nevis Fire and Rescue Department, where he was interned.