Charles E. Morris Jr., 84, of North Kingstown, passed away peacefully on Thursday, Nov. 23, 2017, surrounded by his loving family. He was the husband of the late Ann H. (Burgess Chandler) Morris.

Born in Providence on June 5, 1933, he was a son of the late Charles E., Sr. and Eleanor (Boydell) Morris. Mr. Morris leaves behind two children and their spouses, Lisa and Don MacGregor of Punta Gorda, FL and Gary and Alison Morris of Fairfax, VA; as well as his step-children and their spouses, Terry and Dan Converse of Riverside, Kim and Wayne Vacarro of Yardley, PA, Gary and JoAnn Chandler of Barrington, Trudy and Dwight Coleman of North Kingstown, and the late Jody Scanlon. Affectionately known as “Papa Boat” to 15 grandchildren — Joshua, Shannon, Kaitlyn, Lauren, Chelsea, Gary Jr., Kay, Andrew, Chandler, Jake, Cameron, Spencer, Harry, and Kathryn, as well as the late Jonathan Converse; and 12 great-grandchildren. He was the brother of the late Robert W. Morris, and is survived by his step-siblings and their spouses, Rex and Kimberly Morris of Warwick and Joyce and Russell Goodman of Warwick.

A 30-year veteran of the U.S. Army Reserves, Mr. Morris retired as a Colonel and received his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Education from the University of Rhode Island. He was a teacher for the North Kingstown School Department and Assistant Principal of Davisville Middle School. He went on to be Principal of Mary V. Quirk Middle School in Warren and retired as the Principal of Edgewood Highland School in the Cranston School Department. Mr. Morris also served as the North Kingstown Park and Recreation Director, where he enjoyed teaching people how to swim. He had also coached the North Kingstown High School track and basketball teams, and was later elected to be the Chairman of the North Kingstown School Committee. In 1999, Mr. Morris participated in the Senior Olympics placing second in the 100-meter freestyle and third place in the 50-meter freestyle.

He was the former President of the URI Alumni Association, a member of the Narragansett Bay Chorus, and their Barbershop Quartet. Mr. Morris was an avid participant in outdoor activities such as tennis, golf, scuba diving and skiing. He enjoyed nature, travel and photography, and was most at home on the ocean. Most notably, he loved his wife, his family, and the many friends they’d entertain. Mr. Morris will be remembered as a strong, stoic, funny, quick-witted, loving man, neighbor, friend, father, brother, and the greatest “Papa Boat” there ever was.

His Memorial Service will be held at noon Tuesday, Nov. 28, in St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 55 Main St., Wickford. Visiting hours are Monday from 5 to 7 pm in the Fagan-Quinn Funeral Home, 825 Boston Neck Road, North Kingstown. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to the URI Alumni Association would be appreciated. For information and condolences visit www.FaganQuinnFuneralHome.com.