Timothy James Morse

Lebanon, N.H. — Timothy James Morse passed away peacefully with family by his side on Sunday, June 10 after a brief illness. Tim was born in Lebanon, N.H. on Oct. 19, 1955, the youngest son of the late Roger and Teresa Morse.  He spent much of his youth working on his uncle’s farm on Churchill Way, gathering sap and bailing hay. His friends knew him as TJ. He attended Lebanon schools and graduated from Lebanon High School in 1974.  He was proud of his perfect attendance.  A jewelry making class at Lebanon High School piqued his interest in the craft and he went to work for Dutille’s Jewelers. He completed the Jeweler’s Certification Program at Bowman Technical School in Lancaster, Pa. in 1979.  After returning to Lebanon he started T. J. Morse, Jeweler with simply a jeweler’s bench and a showcase in the back of McNeil’s Drugstore.  As his customer base grew, he opened up his own store in the Colonial Plaza, West Lebanon, N.H.  In 1987 he expanded into a larger store in the Glen Road Plaza which he operated until his retirement in 2007. TJ crafted and sold jewelry of the highest quality, showcasing his constant pursuit of perfection. He was known for his brilliant salesmanship and personal service, which won him many repeat customers, many of whom became close friends.  

He married Patricia Hannon in 1988 to whom he was married for 26 years.  They had two sons, Zachary and Andrew.  TJ’s passions were downhill skiing and motorcycle riding.  He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed being with his sons, his brother Gary, and his close friends.  A devoted son, TJ also spent much of his early retirement caring for his aging parents.  TJ inherited his love of skiing from his father Roger, a competitive ski jumper. Those that knew him described him as one of a kind, with a lively personality that filled up any room. If TJ had an opinion on any subject he did not keep it to himself. He simply loved talking to people.  

TJ is survived by his sons, Zachary and Andrew of Lebanon N.H.; brother Gary, wife June of Canaan, N.H.; cousin Cindy Casale husband Fran of Lebanon, N.H.; cousin Thomas Moffitt of Lebanon, N.H.; aunt Evelyn Morse of Lebanon, N.H.; close friend Michael McAllister wife Ann of Meriden, N.H.; many other cousins and nieces.

Visiting hours will be held on Friday, June 15 from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Ricker Funeral Home in Lebanon, N.H.  A graveside memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 16 at 3 p.m. at the Sacred Heart Cemetery, 258 Mascoma St., Lebanon, NH.  A Celebration of Life will follow.  

Memorial contributions can be made to the Lebanon Outing Club, P.O. Box 295, Lebanon, NH  03766.  

Messages of condolence may be expressed with the family through an online guestbook by visiting www.rickerfuneralhome.com.