BRUNSWICK — Joseph Arthur “Morris” Lavallee, age 63, of Dilios Drive, passed away at home on Wednesday, February 17. He was born in Brunswick on September 1, 1952, the son of Joseph Arthur Francis Lavallee and Juliette Rose Thierrien. He attended schools in Brunswick and Bath, leaving Morse High School to enlist in the Navy in 1970. He was transferred to the Marine Corps, and was a sniper in a force recon unit in the Southeast Asian theater. After being discharged in 1973, he worked at Bath Iron Works and the Harding Plant. He honed his craft at fabrication, welding and engineering, and spent many years as a self employed metal fabricator and craftsman.

He was a loving father, a devoted husband, a cherished brother, uncle and cousin. He was a talented musician and a gifted writer. His two published works, “Cracks In the Wall” and “The Broken” were reviewed by the Maine Sunday Telegram, the Coastal Journal and The Cryer. Morris also hosted discussion sessions at local libraries and other venues, where he encouraged readers to discuss some of the themes raised in his books. He was especially concerned with young veterans returning home and “falling through the cracks” in the Veterans Administration system. He understood combat-related P.T.S.D. from his personal experiences in Southeast Asia. His heart was as big as his personality, and he will be sorely missed by all who knew him.

He leaves behind his wife, Alison Bane, his beloved daughter, Rebecca Carabajal Lavallee, his beloved sons, Albin Lee Lavallee, and Mark Luro, two sisters, Connie Monroe and her husband Jimmy, Priscilla Barber and her husband Erle, his brother, Roger Lavallee and his wife Sheila, and many, many beloved nieces, nephews, grand nieces and nephews, cousins and great cousins.

He left the world a better place than he found it, just by being himself. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him.

Visiting hours were held Sunday, February 21 from 4-7 PM at Stetson’s Funeral Home, 12 Federal St., Brunswick. A memorial service will be held at a later date.