Obituary of Morris E Spector

On Sunday, May 2nd, at B'nai Israel Memorial Park Cemetery, a monument was unveiled for Morris Eugene Spector (6/16/1926-5/9/2020). He is predeceased by his wife, Esther, two sisters and a brother. He is survived by one sister and youngest brother, his five children and his grandchildren.

Morris grew up in Philadelphia. He served with honor in WWII, assigned to the 301st Troop Carrier Squadron of the 9th US Army Air Corps, and trained as a pilot. He was also a member of the Army Air Corps Reserves and the New Mexico Air National Guard.

After the war, Morris returned home and married Esther Eisen, and began working in local delicatessens, and then supermarkets as a store manager. The couple had five children: Bradley, Abbie, Robert, Lee and Richard. In 1960, they relocated to Toms River, N.J. Morris eventually bought a small grocery store in Lavallette and then a liquor store in Lakewood. At 62, Morris retired from retail.

Soon bored, he returned to college, completing his bachelor’s degree in history, then earning a master’s degree at Monmouth University. Hired as an adjunct professor at Ocean County College, he taught history and world civilization for 30 years. Morris also entertained seniors with stand-up comedy at retirement centers.

A long-time congregant of the Congregation B'nai Israel, Morris was also a proud member and officer of the VFW and the JWV. He served many times in the SAREL, the Volunteers For Israel program.