Donald W. Morse, 85, of Unity, NH died Thursday, May 31, 2012 at the Pine Rock Manor in Warner, NH of pneumonia surrounded by his loving family.

He was born in Winthrop, MA on February 6, 1927 the son of Edward A. and Lillian W. (Smith) Morse.

Don spent his childhood in Revere, MA and Charleston, WV.  After graduating from high school in 1944, he joined the Navy and served in the Pacific Theatre as a pharmacist mate on a seaplane tender.  He also served in the Korean War, teaching anatomy physiology at the Naval Hospital in Portsmouth, VA.

Don married his wife, Martha, in November of 1949.  They celebrated their 62^nd anniversary in 2011.

After his discharge from the Navy he returned to Marietta College and graduated in 1953, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree.  Don then spent a year studying physical anthropology at Howard University before beginning his career as a teacher at Laurence Academy in Groton, MA.  Don advanced his education at many summer institutes and received his Master’s degree in the natural sciences from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in 1960.  He loved teaching and was well thought of by his students and fellow teachers.   

He and his wife settled in Unity, NH in 1975 and he directed several satellite colleges in the Upper Valley for a few years.  In 1979, he and his family ran a convenience store in Newport, NH for about 4 ½ years and then became coppersmiths, making window sill trays, weathervanes and sculptures.  He had also served on the Unity School Board for two years.

Don was cared for at his house for as long as possible and spent the last year of his life at Pine Rock Manor in Warner, NH, an independent living facility for persons suffering from dementia. 

He is survived by his wife Martha; his sons, John and his wife, Karen, Stephen and his wife, Kathy and daughter, Mary Jo Lord and her husband, Ernie.  He is also survived by eight grandchildren, Jason, Matthew and Sarah Morse, Sarah Owen and husband, Mike, Nick Helie, Eric Lord and his wife, Jackie, Andy Lord, Lisa Swierczynski and her husband, Peter; nine great grandchildren, Hannah Korila, Emma and Molly Morse, Lauren & Ethan Swierczynski, Donovan, Elizabeth and Justin Lord and Jonathan Owen.