Gary Alan Morse, aged 63, passed away peacefully and pain-free Thursday, June 6th, after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Although devastating, Garys diagnosis 5 years ago was bittersweet, as it forced us to live like every holiday, birthday, anniversary, or vacation could be the last. We were given the gift of time, not in quantity but in quality, and it was never lost on us how lucky we were to have been given more time than most to make memories. The strength Gary displayed during his cancer journey was a testament to how he lived his life-with courage, strength, and resilience.

Gary was the epitome of the phrase "cool, calm, and collected". You couldn't not like him, and there wasn't much HE didn't like-except for screaming children, dirty cars and garages (sorry dad), and maybe Taylor Swift (although jury is still out on that one). He was good at everything, including pickle ball, a sport he picked up one day and was suddenly playing non-stop. The support and friendships from his pickleball community will never be forgotten.

Gary was the ultimate "girl dad," so it was nice when he was finally able to see the fruition of his athletic abilities in his grandchildren. He was a staple at all of their games, especially on the lacrosse field. He did everything for his family, including building a beautiful cottage up north, his happy place. He insisted on working on it till the very end, even when we wanted him to just sit down and enjoy it. But that was our dad.

He is survived by countless loving family members, but no one more important than his wife of 41 years Kim, his best friend, prom date, and "buttercup"; his daughters Lisa and Lauren; the sons he never had Nathan and James, and his 5 grandchildren Crew, June, Leighton, Brody, and Mila. It was truly a wonderful life.

Gary hated the thought of funerals, so a celebration of life will be held at a later date in July. We ask you to remember him by making some memories-play some pickle ball, take the vacation you have been thinking about, spend time with your family… "We are here to laugh at the odds and live our lives so well that death will tremble to take us".

Donations are always welcome to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network at PanCan.org